DNA transposons and the evolution of eukaryotic genomes.
Open accessAbstract
Transposable elements are mobile genetic units that exhibit broad diversity in their structure and transposition mechanisms. Transposable elements occupy a large fraction of many eukaryotic genomes and their movement and accumulation represent a major force shaping the genes and genomes of almost all organisms. This review focuses on DNA-mediated or class 2 transposons and emphasizes how this class of elements is distinguished from other types of mobile elements in terms of their structure, amplification dynamics, and genomic effect. We provide an up-to-date outlook on the diversity and taxonomic distribution of all major types of DNA transposons in eukaryotes, including Helitrons and Mavericks. We discuss some of the evolutionary forces that influence their maintenance and diversification in various genomic environments. Finally, we highlight how the distinctive biological features of DNA transposons have contributed to shape genome architecture and led to the emergence of genetic innovations in different eukaryotic lineages.
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DNA transposons are removed through imprecise excision and deletion.
“and DNA transposons are removed through imprecise excision and deletion (64).”
From Convergent genome streamlining accompanies independent miniaturization in the world’s smallest fishes (2026) · cites this paper as [64]
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- Authors
- Feschotte, C., & Pritham, E. J.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Arlington (US)
- Venue
- Annual Review of Genetics
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2007-12-01
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 331-368
- ISSN
- 0066-4197 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-2948
- PMC
- PMC2167627
- OpenAlex
- W2142466527
- Cited by
- 1,218
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 72 · 2025: 69 · 2024: 65 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 61 · 2019: 69 · 2018: 66 · 2017: 72 · 2016: 67 · 2015: 59 · 2014: 81 · 2013: 66 · 2012: 73
- FWCI
- 3.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Annual Review of Genetics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Texas at Arlington
- Fordham University
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01 GM 77582-01, R01GM077582)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01AI068908)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genome Rearrangement Algorithms
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities
- Keywords
- DNA transposons, transposable elements, eukaryotic genome evolution, Helitrons, mavericks, transposition mechanism, genome organization, genetic innovation, mobile genetic elements
- MeSH terms
- DNA, DNA Transposable Elements, Eukaryotic Cells, Biological Evolution, Genome
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