Transposable Elements and Cytochrome P450 Genes in Insects
Author Information
Author(s): Chen Song, Li Xianchun
Primary Institution: University of Arizona
Hypothesis
Transposable elements (TEs) may be selectively enriched in environmental response genes, but relatively excluded from essential housekeeping genes.
Conclusion
The study found that transposable elements are selectively retained within or in close proximity to xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 genes.
Supporting Evidence
- Twelve novel transposons were identified from the alleles of the six H. zea P450 genes.
- Seven out of eight Drosophila P450s implicated in insecticide resistance are associated with a variety of transposons.
- All five Drosophila P450s involved in ecdysone biosynthesis are free of TE insertions.
Takeaway
The study shows that certain genes in insects that help them deal with toxins have more 'jumping genes' (transposable elements) nearby, which might help them adapt better to their environment.
Methodology
The researchers scanned two alleles of six cytochrome P450 genes in Helicoverpa zea and thirteen Drosophila melanogaster P450 genes for transposon insertions using genome walking and sequence analysis.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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