retrotransposed

Retrotransposed refers to genetic elements that move within a genome through an RNA intermediate. These elements, a type of transposon, first copy themselves into RNA, which is then reverse transcribed back into DNA. This newly synthesized DNA copy is then inserted into a different location in the genome. This process is a key mechanism for genome evolution and can lead to significant changes in gene expression and regulation.

The term "retrotransposed" can be used as an adjective to describe a DNA sequence that has undergone this process, or as part of a verb phrase describing the action of retrotransposition. For example, a gene could be retrotransposed to a new location, or a gene might be described as having been retrotransposed. This mechanism is common in eukaryotic genomes, with retrotransposons making up a substantial portion of the DNA in many species.

There are two main classes of retrotransposons: those that use a primer-dependent mechanism similar to cellular reverse transcriptases, and those that encode their own reverse transcriptase and integrase enzymes. The presence and activity of retrotransposed elements can have a variety of biological consequences, including gene duplication, the creation of new regulatory sequences, and in some cases, disease. Understanding retrotransposition is crucial for comprehending genome dynamics and the evolution of genetic diversity.