[Transposable element mariner].
Mariner and mariner-like elements (MLEs) have been found in a wide range of organisms including human since its discovery in Drosophila mauritiana. MLEs belong to the mariner/Tc1 superfamily, one of the most diverse and widespread Class II transposable elements. MLEs have a conserved "D,D(34)D" motif in their transposases and they transpose by cut-and-paste mechanisms. Their extraordinarily wide host range and horizontal transmission in distantly related species indicate that they do not need additional host-specific factors for transposition. The evidence that MLEs could transform a wide variety of organisms especially the vertebrates supported the host-independent mechanism and suggested the availability as a kind of potential transforming vector.
Zhang
Hui
H
Beijing Laboratory Animal Research Center, Beijing 100012, China. huizhang@21cn.com
Wang
Xiao-Ke
XK
Ma
Shi-Jun
SJ
D000818:Animals; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D019895:Transposases / Q000235:genetics
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C111652:mariner transposases; D019895:Transposases