Title
Hyperactive transposase mutants of the Himar1 mariner transposon
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Publication Date
1999-09-29
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Animals; DNA; *DNA Transposable Elements; Muscidae; Mutation; Transposases
Disciplines
Microbiology | Molecular Genetics
Abstract
Mariner-family transposable elements are active in a wide variety of organisms and are becoming increasingly important genetic tools in species lacking sophisticated genetics. The Himar1 element, isolated from the horn fly, Haematobia irritans, is active in Escherichia coli when expressed appropriately. We used this fact to devise a genetic screen for hyperactive mutants of Himar1 transposase that enhance overall transposition from approximately 4- to 50-fold as measured in an E. coli assay. Purified mutant transposases retain their hyperactivity, although to a lesser degree, in an in vitro transposition assay. Mutants like those described herein should enable sophisticated analysis of the biochemistry of mariner transposition and should improve the use of these elements as genetic tools, both in vivo and in vitro.
Source
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Sep 28;96(20):11428-33.
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Related Resources
Repository Citation
Lampe, David J.; Akerley, Brian J.; Rubin, Eric J.; Mekalanos, John J.; and Robertson, Hugh M., "Hyperactive transposase mutants of the Himar1 mariner transposon" (1999). Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Publications and Presentations. 12.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/mgm_pp/12