Mutator Transposon in Maize and MULEs in the Plant Genome |
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Authors: | Xian-Min DIAO Damon Lisch |
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Institution: | a National Millet Improvement Center of China, Institute of Millet Crops, Hebei Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050031, China b University of California at Berkeley, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 111 Koshland Hall, CA 94720, USA |
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Abstract: | Mutator (Mu) is by far the most mutagenic plant transposon. The high frequency of transposition and the tendency to insert into low copy sequences for such transposon have made it the primary means by which genes are mutagenized in maize (Zea mays L.). Mus like elements (MULEs) are widespread among angiosperms and multiple-diverged functional variants can be present in a single genome. MULEs often capture genetic sequences. These Pack-MuLEs can mobilize thousands of gene fragments, which may have had a significant impact on host genome evolution. There is also evidence that MULEs can move between reproductively isolated species. Here we present an overview of the discovery, features and utility of Mu transposon. Classification of Mu elements and future directions of related research are also discussed. Understanding Mu will help us elucidate the dynamic genome. |
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Keywords: | Mutator transposon genome evolution MULE Pack-MuLE |
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