Incomer, a DD36E family of Tc1/mariner transposons newly discovered in animals

Abstract

Exploring the diversity of <i>Tc1/mariner</i> transposons and revealing their evolutionary profiles will help provide a better understanding of the evolution of DNA transposons and their impact on genomic evolution. Here, a newly discovered family (DD36E/<i>Incomer</i>) of <i>Tc1/mariner</i> transposons is described in animals. It displays a similar structural organization and close relationship with the known DD34E/<i>Tc1</i> elements, but has a relatively narrow distribution, indicating that DD36E/<i>IC</i> might have originated from the DD34E/<i>Tc1</i> family. Our data also support the hypothesis of horizontal transfer of <i>IC</i> in vertebrates, even invading one lineage of mammals (bats). This study expands our understanding of the diversity of <i>Tc1/mariner</i> transposons and updates the classification of this superfamily.