Controlled activation of retrotransposition for plant breeding

Jerzy Paszkowski

doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2015.01.003

Controlled activation of retrotransposition for plant breeding

Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2015 Apr:32:200-206. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.01.003. Epub 2015 Jan 20.

Author

Jerzy Paszkowski¹

Affiliation

¹ The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1LR, United Kingdom. Electronic address: jerzy.paszkowski@slcu.cam.ac.uk.

PMID: 25615932
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.01.003

Abstract

Plant genomes consist to a large extent of transposable elements (TEs), predominantly retrotransposons. Their accumulation through periodic transposition bursts has shaped the structure and regulatory organization of plant genomes, often contributing to phenotypic traits. Transposon-generated phenotypes selected by humans during plant domestication have been maintained under strict selection during subsequent plant breeding. Our knowledge of the epigenetic, environmental, and developmental regulation of TE activity has advanced considerably in recent years. Here I will consider TEs as an attractive endogenous source of genetic variation that can be liberated in a controlled fashion and thus offer novel phenotypic diversity to be selected for crop improvement.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Breeding
Genetic Variation
Genome, Plant
Humans
Phenotype
Plants / genetics*
Retroelements*

Substances

Retroelements