Functional characterization of piggyBat from the bat Myotis lucifugus unveils an active mammalian DNA transposon.

ABSTRACT: A revelation of the genomic age has been the contributions of the mobile DNA segments called transposable elements to chromosome structure, function, and evolution in virtually all organisms. Substantial fractions of vertebrate genomes derive from transposable elements, being dominated by retroelements that move via RNA intermediates. Although many of these elements have been inactivated by mutation, several active retroelements remain. Vertebrate genomes also contain substantial quantities and a high diversity of cut-and-paste DNA transposons, but no active representative of this class has been identified in mammals. Here we show that a cut-and-paste element called piggyBat, which has recently invaded the genome of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and is a member of the piggyBac su

SUBMITTER: Mitra R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3538221 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature