transposase --> transposon
(Science: molecular biology) small, mobile dNA sequences that can replicate and insert copies at random sites within chromosomes. They have nearly identical sequences at each end, oppositely oriented (inverted) repeats and code for the enzyme, transposase, that catalyses their insertion.
eukaryotes contain two classes of mobile genetic elements, the first are like bacterial transposons in that dNA sequences move directly. The second class (retrotransposons) move by producing rNA that is transcribed, by reverse transcriptase, into dNA which is then inserted at a new site.
Results from our forum
... although such proteins-coding sequences are often a mess due to mutations - for jumping the gene only needs to have jumping signals to jump - the transposase can be provided by say a viral infection or another transposon which ironically may have mutations in its jump-signal DNA which mean it ...
See entire post