retrotransposon

ret·ro·pos·on

(ret'rō-pōz'on),

1. A transposition of sequences in a DNA that does not originate in the DNA but rather in an mRNA that is transcribed back into the genomic DNA by reverse transcription. Synonym(s): retrotransposon

2. A transposable element.

[retro- + L. pono, pp. positum, to place, + -on]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

retrotransposon

(rĕt′rō-trăns-pō′zŏn)

n.

A transposon copied from RNA with the use of reverse transcriptase.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

retrotransposon

a type of TRANSPOSABLE GENETIC ELEMENT, found in eukaryotic genomes, that utilizes RNA as an intermediate and the enzyme REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE to transpose. Reverse transcription of the RNA transcripts of the transposon produces a DNA copy that subsequently inserts into the GENOME to effect transposition. Retrotransposons may be degenerate RETROVIRUSES.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005