In a study published in Cell, a research team has characterized the diversity of DNA transposons and expanded the genome engineering toolbox.
"Our systematic and comparative framework complements conventional case studies in elucidating basic biology and strengthening applied biology," said the corresponding author of the study.
Since the first discovery of transposons by Barbara McClintock in the 1940s, scientists have been fascinated by these "jumping genes" and their role in evolution. As one of the major transposon types, DNA transposons have received considerable attention. However, due to the limited scale of previous case studies, the factors associated with transposition activity and evolutionary patterns have remained unclear.
In this study, the researchers predicted 130 potentially active DNA transposons from 102 animal genomes. Through experimental screening and validation, they identified 40 novel transposons with activity in human cells, increasing the number of active transposon vectors in mammals from 20 to 60 and significantly expanding their evolutionary diversity.
Taking advantage of the largest dataset of active DNA transposons ever obtained through systematic experimental screening, they performed further in-depth analyses, deciphering factors underlying transposition activity, exploring evolutionary dynamics, and identifying diverse functional properties.
One notable finding is that the Tc1/mariner superfamily exhibits enhanced activity, which underlies their ubiquitous horizontal transfers.
In addition, although DNA transposons could be used as genetic engineering tools for insertional mutagenesis or transgenic vectors in previous applications, only a few of them have been widely used, such as Sleeping Beauty (SB).
The researchers explored new transposons with different functional properties. Among them, the most active transposon, Mariner2_AG (MAG), largely outperformed widely used vectors in CAR-T cell therapy, including lentivirus and SB, indicating its potential for clinical application.
The newly identified transposons with diverse functional characteristics described in the current study significantly expand the genetic engineering toolbox based on DNA transposons, supporting various application scenarios.
Overall, by utilizing the abundant genetic resources of the animal kingdom, the researchers conducted the largest-scale DNA transposon activity screening ever undertaken, resulting in the largest active DNA transposon dataset to date.
This study not only highlights the diverse functional and evolutionary characteristics of DNA transposons, but also expands the genomic engineering toolbox.
Latest News
Regular snoring could be ba…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Jun
Circadian rhythm drives the…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Six distinct types of depre…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Key role of a growth factor…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Bidirectional BCI functiona…
By newseditor
Posted 19 Jun
Other Top Stories
Repurposing of bumetanide for APOE4-related Alzheimer's disease
Read more
Bach1 derepression is neuroprotective in a mouse model of Parkinson…
Read more
Extracellular vesicles in 'young blood' rejuvenate aged mouse muscle
Read more
Sildenafil, a candidate drug for Alzheimer's disease!
Read more
Hypothalamic steroid receptor coactivator-2 regulates adaptations t…
Read more
Protocols
Deciphering spatial domains…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Jun
High-throughput volumetric…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Bioengineered human colon o…
By newseditor
Posted 14 Jun
Development of an efficient…
By newseditor
Posted 12 Jun
A co-culture system of macr…
By newseditor
Posted 10 Jun
Publications
Social Isolation and Loneli…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Jun
Regular snoring is associat…
By newseditor
Posted 24 Jun
Programmed cell death: NINJ…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Jun
Circadian-clock-controlled…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Personalized brain circuit…
By newseditor
Posted 21 Jun
Presentations
Myelin plasticity in the ve…
By newseditor
Posted 10 Jun
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar