Structure and Diversity of <i>Tc1</i>/<i>mariner</i> Transposons in the Genome of the Jellyfish <i>Aurelia aurita</i>

Abstract

Transposable elements, DNA transposons and retrotransposons are DNA sequences capable of movement within the genome. It is assumed that they play one of their key roles in adaptive and evolutionary processes. One of the most studied groups of DNA transposons is the infraclass ITm, and in particular the superfamily Tc1/mariner. In this work, we considered the representation, structure, and evolution of Tc1/mariner DNA transposons in the jellyfish Aurelia aurita. It was found that the predominant proportion of Tc1/mariner elements of the jellyfish is represented by the TLE family. A new subfamily of TLE elements called Aurum has been identified. In addition, two groups of elements VS-aura and VS-beplau were found in the Visitor family, which are probably also separate subfamilies. Analysis of the structure and diversity of Tc1/mariner elements showed that at the moment Tc1/mariner transposons in the jellyfish genome are at the stage of degradation and elimination. Almost all elements are deleted or have structural changes, and, accordingly, do not have potentially functional copies.