Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India.
Indian J Med Res. 2013 Jun;137(6):1052-60.
Transposable elements (TEs) represent genome's dynamic component, causing mutations and genetic variations. Transposable elements can invade eukaryotic genomes in a short span; these are silenced by homology-dependent gene silencing and some functional parts of silenced elements are utilized to perform novel cellular functions. However, during the past two decades, major interest has been focused on the positive contribution of these elements in the evolution of genomes. The interaction between mobile DNAs and their host genomes are quite diverse, ranging from modifications of gene structure to alterations in general genome architecture and can be regarded as hidden magicians in shaping evolution of genomes. Some of the prominent examples that impressively demonstrate the beneficial impact of TEs on host biology over evolutionary time include their role in structure and functions of eukaryotic genomes.
转座元件（TEs）代表了基因组的动态组成部分，导致突变和遗传变异。转座元件可以在短时间内侵入真核生物基因组；它们通过同源依赖性基因沉默而被沉默，并且沉默元件的一些功能部分被利用来执行新的细胞功能。然而，在过去的二十年中，人们主要关注这些元件在基因组进化中的积极贡献。移动 DNA 与其宿主基因组之间的相互作用非常多样化，从基因结构的修饰到一般基因组结构的改变，它们可以被视为塑造基因组进化的隐藏魔术师。一些突出的例子令人印象深刻地证明了 TEs 在进化过程中对宿主生物学的有益影响，包括它们在真核生物基因组的结构和功能中的作用。
