Retrotransposons

Jef D. Boeke

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Retrotransposons constitute an extensively distributed family of eukaryotic transposable elements. The retrotransposons share a number of structural features which reflect the mechanism by which new copies of the transposon are generated; this process is similar to that of retroviral reverse transcription and integration. In this review, several aspects of retrotransposon biology in light of recent investigations will be considered. Specifically, this review will summarize recent findings on the mechanism and regulation of retrotransposition, the structure of the elements, roles of the encoded gene product(s) in transposition, interactions between retrotransposons and adjacent host genes, and interactions between retrotransposons and host gene products (i.e., the insertion suppressors). Several other recent reviews of these topics are also available. 1 - 12 This review will concern itself primarily with 61yeast and insect elements, although where possible, results from vertebrate systems are also incorporated. Not discussed is another major class of eukaryotic transposons, typified by the P and Ac elements, which are characterized by short inverted terminal repeats.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationRNA Genetics
Subtitle of host publicationVolume II: Retroviruses, Viroids, and RNA Recombination
PublisherCRC Press
Pages59-103
Number of pages45
ISBN (Electronic)9781351084888
ISBN (Print)9781315897332
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Retrotransposons'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this