Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Horizontal Transfer of (DD82E), a New Superfamily of DNA Transposons.

Here, a new superfamily of () DNA transposons, termed Sailor, is identified, that is characterized by a DD82E catalytic domain and is distinct from all previously known superfamilies of the group. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that forms a monophyletic clade with a more intimate link to the clades of and . was detected in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and invaded a total of 256 species across six kingdoms. is present in nine species of bacteria, two species of plantae, four species of protozoa, 23 species of Chromista, 12 species of Fungi and 206 species of animals. Moreover, is extensively distributed in invertebrates (a total of 206 species from six phyla) but is absent in vertebrates. transposons are 1.38-6.98 kb in total length and encoded transposases of ~676 aa flanked by TIRs with lengths between 18, 1362 and 4 bp (TATA) target-site duplications. Furthermore, our analysis provided strong evidence of transmissions from prokaryotes to eukaryotes and internal transmissions in both. These data update the classification of the group and will contribute to the understanding of the evolution of transposons and that of their hosts.