ABSTRACT
References ..................................................................................................................................... 2 4 6
The n~ti-irzei-family of transposons holds considerabie promise for development as genetis tools in insects. Exploitation of this family of transposons generally follcws the model of the P elerneni in Di-osoplzila melai~ngnstei.; however. t ere are several features of fhe ?izc/i.ine~- family thatmake its lnembers particuiarly appropriate as genetic tools for insects. First. they are extremely widespread and diverse in anima: genomes. Second, they persist primarily by repeated horizontal transfers into new host genomes. Third: their transposases are capable of lirnceioning autonomoe~sly of hos! proteins. Fourth. they are capable of fixctioning in diverse host environments. Fifth, their fmctioni~ig in bacteria such as Esclzei.ichir~ coli allows manipulation of their transposase and inverted terminal repeats to generate improved versions. Sixth, i~zaritzer~s from different subfamilies, and perhaps divergent lineages within subfamilies, do not interact. This chapter reviews some consequences of their prospects as genetic tools for insects.
