TRANSPOSABLE GENETIC ELEMENTS OF THE NEMATODE

大多数，如果不是全部的话，生物体的基因组中包含多个 能够转座的离散DNA序列的拷贝 对许多不同的染色体部位进行切割和切除。这些DNA 序列统称为可转座遗传元件， 或者转座子。可转座的元素是主要的来源 这些有机体中的自发突变。他们可能要对此负责 对于很大一部分遗传变异性和遗传负荷 这在自然界中是存在的。 转座元件的转座和切除是紧密的 在许多物种中都受到控制。转座和转座的频率 切除可以以特定于菌株和组织的方式进行调节。 转座元件Tc1的遗传活性 线虫线虫秀丽线虫受这两个菌株的影响 和组织特异性调控。我们将研究基因 以及菌株特异性和组织特异性的分子基础 Tc1的活性。我们的目标是： 1.鉴定和克隆表达转座子的元件 Tc1的活性所依赖的转座酶功能。 2.对该元件进行测序并确定转座酶基因(S) 在它里面。 3.确定该转座酶的菌株和组织 基因得到了表达。我们将测试工作模型，使其- 自主元件的特异性和组织特异性表达 负责菌株特异性和组织特异性的活性 Tc1. 我们的方法结合了传统的遗传和 分子遗传学技术。这项研究有助于 通过分子细节描述一个重要的国家健康 自然突变的机制。对遗传生物学的理解 转座子的研究将有助于我们理解基因 一般的疾病。

Most, if not all, organisms contain within their genomes multiple copies of discrete DNA sequences that are capable of transposition to and excision from many different chromosomal sites. These DNA sequences are collectively termed transposable genetic elements, or transposons. Transposable elements are a major source of spontaneous mutations in these organisms. They may be responsible for a significant portion of genetic variability and genetic load that occurs in nature. Transposition and excision of transposable elements is tightly controlled in many species. The frequencies of transposition and excision can be regulated in a strain- and tissue-specific manner. Genetic activity of the transposable element Tc1, contained in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, is subject to both strain-specific and tissue-specific regulation. We will investigate the genetic and molecular basis for strain-specific and, tissue-specific activity of Tc1. Our goals are: 1. To identify and clone the transposable element that expresses the transposase function on which Tc1 depends for its activity. 2. To sequence this element and define the transposase gene(s) within it. 3. To determine the strains and tissues in which this transposase gene is expressed. We will test the working model that strain- specific and tissue-specific expression of the autonomous element is responsible for strain-specific and tissue-specific activity of Tc1. Our methods involve a combination of traditional genetic and molecular genetic techniques. This research contributes to the national health by describing in molecular detail an important mechanism for natural mutation. Understanding the genetic biology of transposons will contribute to our understanding of genetic diseases in general.