What is a transposon and why is it important?

Transposons are repetitive DNA sequences that have the capability to move (transpose) from one location to another in genome. Transposon movement can result in mutations, alter gene expression, induce chromosome rearrangements and, due to increase in copy numbers, enlarge genome sizes.

How does the piggyBac system work?

When using piggyBac™, the cargo is inserted into the genome fully intact, while, with a standard DNA plasmid transfection, a double-stranded break may occur in your cargo. Additionally, with piggyBac™, the number of integration copies can be tightly controlled by titrating the transposase to transposon ratios.

What is a piggyBac vector?

The piggyBac (PB) transposon is a movable genetic element that efficiently transposes between vectors and chromosomes through a “cut-and-paste” mechanism.

What is the purpose of transposable elements?

Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences with the ability to move within genomes. TEs are ubiquitous throughout eukaryotic genomes and have been shown to alter regulatory networks, gene expression, and to rearrange genomes as a result of their transposition.

Can transposons be beneficial?

Thus, DNA transposons are useful tools to analyze the regulatory genome, study embryonic development, identify genes and pathways implicated in disease or pathogenesis of pathogens, and even contribute to gene therapy.

What are the role of transposons in mutation?

Transposons are mutagens. They can cause mutations in several ways: If a transposon inserts itself into a functional gene, it will probably damage it. Insertion into exons, introns, and even into DNA flanking the genes (which may contain promoters and enhancers) can destroy or alter the gene’s activity.

What is PiggyBac plasmid?

The PiggyBac (PB) transposon is a mobile genetic element that efficiently transposes between vectors and chromosomes via a “cut and paste” mechanism.

What is a PiggyBac plasmid?

What are possible advantages to having transposable elements within a cell?

Transposable elements may promote recombination, leading to increased genetic diversity. Through exon shuffling, new gene combinations can be produced. Transposable elements carrying antibiotic-resistance genes assist with bacterial cell survival. Transposable elements may play a role in gene regulation.

What are the main impacts of transposable elements in genome function?

Presence of transposable elements (TEs) in the human genome has profound effects on genome function, structure and evolution. TE mobility and inter-TE recombination are the origin of a large spectrum of mutations and genome reorganization leading to diseases.

Why are transposable elements important for evolution?

The ability of transposons to increase genetic diversity, together with the ability of the genome to inhibit most TE activity, results in a balance that makes transposable elements an important part of evolution and gene regulation in all organisms that carry these sequences.