Transposon in genetics, a genetic element that can move from one site in a chromosome to another site in the same or a different chromosome and thus alter the genetic constitution of the organism or a segment of DNA that is capable of inserting copies of itself into other DNA sites within the same cell. As genetic tools, DNA transposons can be used to introduce a piece of foreign DNA into a genome. Indeed, they have been used for transgenesis and insertional mutagenesis in different organisms, since these elements are not generally dependent on host factors to mediate their mobility. Environmental and genomic stresses seem to activate transposition in Drosophila because of their interference on transposition regulation mechanisms.

Sreelakshmi Sethumadhavan

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