Mobile genetic element (MGE)

• definition: DNA sequence that can change its position within a genome; aka transposable element, jumping gene
• function(s) of MGEs:
  1. transpose: can move from one location to another in the genome
  2. replicate: make copies of themselves
  3. insert themselves into new locations

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2 main classes of MGEs

Retrotransposons (copy and paste)

How they transpose

1. RNA copy is made (using RNA polymerase of host)
2. RNA copy is converted ack to cDNA (using reverse transcriptase)
3. Insert cDNA into new location in genome

DNA transposons (cut and paste)

How they transpose