A PCR-based assay to detect hAT-like transposon sequences in plants.

Despite their potential as endogenous tools for forward and reverse genetics, members of the hobo, Ac, Tam3 (or hAT) superfamily of transposable elements have been characterized in but a limited number of plant species. To expedite their isolation, we developed a PCR-based assay for the detection of hAT-like transposon sequences in plants which was applied to isolate and initially characterize such sequences from Petunia hybrida, Phaseolus vulgaris, Bambusa vulgaris, Brassica napus and Rhododendron simsii.