Rapid Expansion of a Highly Germline-Expressed Mariner Element Acquired by Horizontal Transfer in the Fire Ant Genome.

ABSTRACT: Transposable elements (TEs) are present in almost all organisms and affect the host in various ways. TE activity can increase genomic variation and thereby affect host evolution. Currently active TEs are particularly interesting because they are likely generating new genomic diversity. These active TEs have been poorly studied outside of model organisms. In this study, we aimed to identify currently active TEs of a notorious invasive species, the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta. Using RNA profiling of male and female germline tissues, we found that the majority of TE-containing transcripts in the fire ant germline belong to the IS630-Tc1-Mariner superfamily. Subsequent genomic characterization of fire ant mariner content, molecular evolution analysis, and population comparisons re

SUBMITTER: Lee CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6307670 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature