Sectorial mutagenesis by transposable elements

Genetica. 1999;107(1-3):239-48.

Abstract

Transposable elements (TEs) generate insertions and cause other mutations in the genomic DNA. It is proposed that during co-evolution between TEs and eukaryotic genomes, an optimal path of the insertion mutagenesis is determined by the surviving TEs. These TEs can become semi-permanently established, chromatin-regulated 'source' or 'mutator genes', responsible for targeting insertion mutations to specific chromosomal regions. Such mutations can manifest themselves in non-random distribution patterns of interspersed repeats in eukaryotic chromosomes. In this paper we discuss specific models,examples and implications of optimized mutagenesis in eukaryotes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosomes
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Transposable Elements*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis*
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA