Project Number
Convenors
- Alan H.SchulmanE-Mail
- University of HelsinkiInstitute of BiotechnologyPlant Breeding BiotechnologyMTT/BI Plant Genomics LaboratoryHelsinkiFinland
Abstract
The discoveries that a large part of the genome is repetitive DNA and that the majority of repetitive DNA is retrotransposons have altered our view of genetics. The dynamics of the retrotransposon life cycle results in the multiplication of these transposable elements, up to the point where they can occupy major fractions of the genomes, in a wide variety of eukaryotes. This appears to be a major factor in explaining the wide variation in genome size within many eukaryote classes. Retrotransposons are ancient, ubiquitous, prevalent, and dynamic components of all eukaryote genomes. By their response to stress, invasiveness, promoter activity, and sheer numbers, as mobile promoters or transcriptional enhancers retrotransposons can wreak many changes on the genome, ranging from gene activation to changes in transcriptional activity and pleiotropic effects due to changes in genome size. The huge variations in genome size that are due to retrotransposon amplification can lead to a variety of pleiotropic effects on selectable properties of the host organisms, including cell nucleus size, cell cycle time and maturation period. Retrotransposons can thereby serve as major contributors to genome diversification not only of genomes but also of organisms, both within populations and between them.
Duration
Three years, from July 2000 to December 2003.
