Question

A certain transposon's transposase creates staggered cuts in the host DNA five base pairs apart. What consequence does this have for the host DNA surrounding the inserted transposon? Draw a diagram to explain how the staggered cuts affect the host DNA.

Name: Problem 1, Chapter 23: Molecular Biology
Uploaded: 2020-08-11T00:05:58-08:00
Duration: 2 min
Channel: Courtney Burson
Description: A certain transposon's transposase creates staggered cuts in the host DNA five base pairs apart. What consequence does this have for the host DNA surrounding the inserted transposon? Draw a diagram to explain how the staggered cuts affect the host DNA.

   A certain transposon's transposase creates staggered cuts in the host DNA five base pairs apart. What consequence does this have for the host DNA surrounding the inserted transposon? Draw a diagram to explain how the staggered cuts affect the host DNA.

Molecular Biology

Robert F. Weaver 5th Edition

Chapter 23, Problem 1

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Courtney Burson

08/11/2020

Step 1

The transposase is an enzyme that facilitates the movement of a transposon (a DNA sequence that can change its position within the genome) by making cuts in the host DNA. Show more…

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A certain transposon's transposase creates staggered cuts in the host DNA five base pairs apart. What consequence does this have for the host DNA surrounding the inserted transposon? Draw a diagram to explain how the staggered cuts affect the host DNA.

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Key Concepts

Transposition Mechanism

Transposition involves an enzyme called transposase that catalyzes the movement of a transposable element within the genome. In this process, the transposase makes staggered cuts in the target DNA, which means that the DNA strands are cut at offset positions rather than directly across from one another. This creates single-stranded overhangs in the host DNA, setting the stage for subsequent integration of the transposon.

Target Site Duplication

The staggered cuts produced by transposase result in gaps that are eventually filled in by the host's DNA repair machinery. When the gaps are filled, short, identical sequences are created on either side of the inserted transposon. These identical sequences, known as target site duplications, flank the transposon and serve as a hallmark of transposition events.

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