Phenomena and Processes

Interspersed Repetitive Sequences

Copies of transposable elements interspersed throughout the genome, some of which are still active and often referred to as jumping genes. There are two classes of interspersed repetitive elements. Class I elements (or RETROELEMENTS - such as retrotransposons, retroviruses, LONG INTERSPERSED NUCLEOTIDE ELEMENTS and SHORT INTERSPERSED NUCLEOTIDE ELEMENTS) transpose via reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. Class II elements (or DNA TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS - such as transposons, Tn elements, insertion sequence elements and mobile gene cassettes of bacterial integrons) transpose directly from one site in the DNA to another.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Copies of transposable elements interspersed throughout the genome, some of which are still active and often referred to as jumping genes. There are two classes of interspersed repetitive elements. Class I elements (or RETROELEMENTS - such as retrotransposons, retroviruses, LONG INTERSPERSED NUCLEOTIDE ELEMENTS and SHORT INTERSPERSED NUCLEOTIDE ELEMENTS) transpose via reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. Class II elements (or DNA TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS - such as transposons, Tn elements, insertion sequence elements and mobile gene cassettes of bacterial integrons) transpose directly from one site in the DNA to another.

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Synonyms

27 entry terms
  • Dispersed Repetitive Sequences
  • Interspersed Repetitive Elements
  • Repetitive Sequences, Dispersed
  • Repetitive Sequences, Interspersed
  • Dispersed Repetitive Sequence
  • Element, Interspersed Repetitive
  • Elements, Interspersed Repetitive
  • Interspersed Repetitive Element
  • Interspersed Repetitive Sequence
  • Repetitive Element, Interspersed
  • Repetitive Elements, Interspersed
  • Repetitive Sequence, Dispersed
  • Repetitive Sequence, Interspersed
  • Sequence, Dispersed Repetitive
  • Sequence, Interspersed Repetitive
  • Sequences, Dispersed Repetitive
  • Sequences, Interspersed Repetitive
  • Elements, Mobile Genetic
  • Genes, Jumping
  • Genetic Elements, Mobile
  • Jumping Genes
  • Mobile Genetic Elements
  • Element, Mobile Genetic
  • Gene, Jumping
  • Genetic Element, Mobile
  • Jumping Gene
  • Mobile Genetic Element

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Aspects Covered

6 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings drug effects, ethics, genetics, immunology, physiology, radiation effects.

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Indexing Annotation

general or unspecified; prefer specifics

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History Note

1999; for MOBILE GENETIC ELEMENTS use DNA TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENTS 1986-1998; for SELFISH DNA use DNA (1983-2003)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • DNA Transposable Elements (1980-1998)
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid (1981-1998)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. G02.111.570.080w.708w.330w
  2. G05.360w.080w.708w.330w
  3. G05.360w.340w.024.425w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Interspersed Repetitive Sequences. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D020071. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D020071
  2. Interspersed Repetitive Sequences. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interspersed_repeat
  3. Interspersed Repetitive Sequences. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3456512