title: Current applications of transposons in mouse genetics.
abstract: Transposable elements (TEs) have been used to study the genetics of a wide variety of species, including prokaryotes, plants, yeast, and Drosophila. The use of TEs to study mouse genetics has previously not been possible as mice do not have endogenous, highly active TEs like other organisms. Over the past decade, however, two retrotransposons (class I TEs) and four DNA transposons (class II TEs) have been developed that are active when in mice. These elements have been used for a variety of applications including germline mutagenesis, transgenesis, gene therapy, the production of induced pluripotent stem cells, and cancer genetics. The molecular characteristics are summarized for each TE currently used in the mouse. In addition, the current applications of these TEs are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dupuy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018626:Retroelements / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D018626:Retroelements