TRANSPOSABLE GENETIC ELEMENTS OF THE NEMATODE

大多数（如果不是全部）生物体的基因组中含有多种 能够转座的离散DNA序列的拷贝 并从许多不同的染色体位点上切除。 这些DNA 序列统称为转座遗传元件， 或转座子。 转座因子是一个主要的来源， 这些生物体的自发突变。 他们可能要对 对于遗传变异和遗传负荷的重要部分， 发生在自然界中。 转座因子的转座和切除是紧密相关的 在许多物种中控制。 换位的频率和 可以以菌株和组织特异性方式调节切除。 转座因子Tc 1的遗传活性，包含在 线虫秀丽隐杆线虫，受到菌株特异性 和组织特异性调节。 我们将研究基因 以及菌株特异性和组织特异性 Tc 1的活性。 我们的目标是： 1. 为了鉴定和克隆转座因子， Tc 1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 在其中 3. 为了确定转座酶的菌株和组织 基因表达。 我们要测试工作模型- 自主成分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活性 Tc 1。 我们的方法包括传统遗传学和 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 自然突变的机制。 了解遗传生物学 将有助于我们理解遗传学 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.