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Transposases can be classified based on the mechanism of transposition, sequence specificity, and structural features.
1. DDE Transposases (RNase H-like transposases):
These transposases are named after a characteristic triad of acidic residues (Asp-Asp-Glu) in their catalytic domain. This family includes several well-studied transposases.
2. Tyrosine Transposases (Y1):
These typically use a tyrosine residue for transesterification reactions that facilitate transposition. They often exhibit some similarity in mechanism to site-specific recombinases, which also use tyrosine for catalysis.
3. Serine Transposases:
These transposases utilize a serine residue in their catalytic mechanism. Like other serine recombinases, they form a covalent protein-DNA intermediate during transposition.
4. HUH single-stranded DNA transposases (Rolling Circle (RC) Transposases, or Y2):
Also known as IS91-like transposases, these enzymes use a rolling-circle mechanism of transposition. Unlike the cut-and-paste mechanism, RC transposition involves replication of the transposable element at the new site while the original remains in place.
5. Helitron Transposases:
Helitron transposons transpose by a rolling circle mechanism that is distinct from both classic DNA transposons and typical RC transposases. They are often studied in plants, where they play a significant role in genome evolution.
6. Transib Transposases:
This lesser-known class shares some features with both DDE and rolling-circle transposases but is distinguished by unique structural and sequence features. Transib transposases are found in a variety of organisms and are thought to have been involved in the evolution of the RAG recombinase crucial for vertebrate immune system function.
7. Reverse transcriptases/endonucleaseses (RT/En): combination of reverse transcriptase and endonuclease activities Each class of transposases has evolved unique mechanisms and structural adaptations that allow them to facilitate the movement of their associated transposable elements. Their diversity reflects the wide range of roles they play in genomic rearrangement and evolution across different species.
DNA转座子类型
剪切-粘贴型DNA转座子/Cut-and-Paste transposon
CUT-AND-PASTE DNA TRANSPOSONS AS GENETIC TOOLS Cut-and-paste DNA transposons are mobile genetic elements that can move from one genomic location to another through a process known as transposition. They “cut” themselves out of one location in the genome and “paste” themselves into a new location. This capability makes them an invaluable tool for genetic studies and biotechnological applications. Here, we explore the use of cut-and-paste DNA transposons as genetic tools.
Mechanism of Action The classic cut-and-paste DNA transposons move through a “cut-and-paste” mechanism, which involves the following steps: 1. Recognition: The transposase enzyme, encoded by the transposon, binds to specific sequences at the ends of the transposon. 2. Excision: The enzyme cuts the DNA at these points, excising the transposon from its original location. 3. Integration: The transposase then mediates the integration of the transposon at a new site in the genome.
This process can occur without the need for DNA replication, which differs from the replication-based movement seen in some other types of transposable elements.
Applications as Genetic Tools Cut-and-paste DNA transposons are used in a variety of ways in genetic research and biotechnology:
Gene Delivery: Transposons can be used to insert genes into cells, making them useful for gene therapy or creating transgenic organisms.
Mutagenesis: By inserting themselves into or near genes, transposons can disrupt gene function, helping researchers study gene roles and create model organisms with specific mutations.
Genome Manipulation: Transposons can be used to create insertions, deletions, and inversions in the genome, allowing for large-scale modifications and functional genomics studies.
Gene Tagging: Transposons can serve as molecular tags to label genes. This is particularly useful in forward genetics, where a phenotype is traced back to the responsible gene.
Transgenic Tool: They can be employed to stably integrate transgenes into the genome, which is essential in creating transgenic plants and animals for agriculture and research.
Functional Genomics: Transposons can be used for gene knockout libraries, enabling the systematic analysis of gene function.
Controlling Transposition To harness transposons as tools, scientists have developed methods to control their activity: – Binary Systems: Use two components, one to express the transposase and another containing the transposable element, to control spatial and temporal transposition. – Inducible Promoters: These can regulate the expression of transposase, activating transposition only in the presence of specific inducers or under certain conditions.
Limitations and Challenges While cut-and-paste DNA transposons are powerful tools, there are limitations and challenges to their use: – Random Insertion: Transposons can insert into random genomic locations, which might cause unintended mutations or disruptions. – Transposon Silencing: Over time, cells may silence transposons, limiting their utility for long-term expression studies. – Efficacy: The efficiency of transposase enzymes can vary, and not all transposons are active in all cell types or species.
In Silico Analysis and Modeling To understand and predict the behavior of transposons, computational models and simulations can be used alongside experimental data. Programming tools and genetic algorithms can help in: – Analyzing transposon insertion patterns across genomes. – Predicting potential off-target effects and assessing risk factors. – Exploring evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements within populations.
Programming can be leveraged to automate these analyses, utilizing languages such as Python or R, combined with bioinformatics tools and databases.
In conclusion, cut-and-paste DNA transposons serve as versatile genetic tools with a wide range of applications in modern biology. However, their use requires careful management and understanding to fully leveraging their capabilities while minimizing unintended consequences. With ongoing advancements in genetic engineering and control mechanisms, the role of transposons as a genetic tool will likely continue to expand and evolve.
复制-粘贴型DNA转座子/Copy-out-paste-in transposon
译自:Copy-out–Paste-in Transposition of IS911: A Major Transposition Pathway
Organization of IS911. (A) Genetic organization. The 1,250-bp IS911 is shown as a box. The boxes at each end represent the left (IRL) and right (IRR) terminal inverted repeats. The two open reading frames, orfA (blue) and orfB (green) are positioned in relative reading phases 0 and −1, respectively, as indicated. The indigenous promoter, pIRL, is shown. The region of overlap between orfA and orfB, which includes the frameshifting signals to produce OrfAB, lies within IS911 coordinates 300 and 400. The precise point at which the frameshift occurs, within the last heptad of the LZ, is indicated by the vertical dotted line. (B) Structure function map of OrfAB and OrfA. HTH, a potential helix-turn-helix motif; LZ, a leucine zipper motif involved in homo- and hetero-multimerization of OrfAB and OrfA. Programmed translational frameshifting that fuses OrfA and OrfB to generate the transposase OrfAB occurs within the fourth heptad. The LZ of OrfA and OrfAB therefore differ in their fourth heptad. A second region, M, necessary for multimerization of OrfAB is shown, as is the catalytic core of the enzyme which carries a third multimerization domain. OrfA translation initiates at an AUG, terminates with UAA whereas OrfAB translation terminates within the right IR. The vertical line to the right of M shows the extent of the truncated transposase, OrfAB[1–149] described in the text. (C) Frameshifting window. The mRNA sequence around the programmed translational frameshifting window is presented. The boxed sequence GGAG is the potential ribosome-binding site located upstream of orfB whose potential translation would be initiated at the boxed AUU codon. A ribosome (not to scale) is shown covering a series of “slippery” codons (AAAAAAG). A downstream secondary structure is also shown with the UAA, OrfA translation termination codon. The ribosome-binding site, slippery codons and secondary structure all contribute to the efficiency of the programmed −1 frameshift. The box at the foot of this figure shows how the anti-codons of two tRNALys are thought to undergo re-pairing with their codons in the AAAAAAG motif.
图5. IS911转座循环。 转座子以绿色显示,侧翼供体DNA为黑色,靶DNA为蓝色。转座子末端显示为绿色实心圆。图4中显示的小箭头因简略而省略。(A)携带插入序列(IS)的供体质粒。(B)形成首个突触复合物SCA,切割左侧或右侧的倒置重复序列(IR),并攻击另一端。(C)供体质粒形成单链桥以创建“8”字形分子。(D)IS特异性复制的产物:双链圆形IS转座中间体和再生的转座子供体质粒。复制的链以绿色虚线显示。(E)形成第二个突触复合物SCB并接合靶DNA(蓝色)。(F)切割IS圈并整合。(G)新整合的IS。(The IS911 transposition cycle. The transposon is shown in green, the flanking donor DNA in black and the target DNA in blue. Transposon ends are shown as green filled circles. The small arrows shown in Figure 4 have been omitted for brevity. (A) Donor plasmid carrying the insertion sequence (IS). (B) Formation of the first synaptic complex SCA and cleavage of the left or right inverted repeat (IR) and attack of the other end. (C) Formation of a single-strand bridge to create a figure-eight molecule if the donor is a plasmid as shown here. (D) The products of IS-specific replication: the double strand circular IS transposition intermediate and the regenerated transposon donor plasmid. The replicated strand is shown as a green dotted line. (E) Formation of the second synaptic complex SCB and engagement of the target DNA (blue). (F) Cleavage of the IS circle and integration. (G) The newly integrated IS.)
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