In case of humans does any transposon type move genes that code for such human proteins that have functions? I've read at several sources that they transcribe the proteins needed for the transposition, but I have not seen any other genes between the LTRs except for that one which is needed for the transposition.
So they can carry "real genes"?
Transposons and transposon - like repertitive elements collectively occupy 44% of the human genome but only a small fraction remain actively mobile in the human genome. These active transposons are of great interest because they continue to produce genetic diversity in human populations and also cause human diseases by integrating into genes. For detail information on this consult Trends in Genetics. Vol. 23, issue 4, pp 183 - 191
Yes they do, and the expression of those genes is actually pretty important during early development stages in mammals for examples. But be sure you understand what "gene" actually means. It is a fragment of DNA sequence from which a transcript is being formed. Whether or not that transcript is coding for a protein or t-rna or has some other potential regulatory role is a different matter.
I've asked my genetics prof, and he said possible if two transposon derived a cellular gene but this is very rare. So if two transposon flank a gene, possible.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Cell Biology