Active 'Jumping Genes' Cause Genetic Damage and Severe Developmental Defects (IMAGE)
Caption
"Jumping genes" or transposable elements are long stretches of repetitive DNA that can insert themselves throughout the genome. Normally, they are held inactive by a series of marks along the genome. But when these marks are erased, activated transposons can disrupt critical genes, causing dramatic defects in development. Here are two flowers: on the left is a normal plant where transposons are silent; on the right, transposons have been activated, severely mutating the flower. Researchers at CSHL have discovered a new fail-safe mechanism that prevents transposon activation even when the inactivating marks have been erased.
Credit
Rob Martienssen, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Usage Restrictions
None
License
Licensed content