Abstract

In this chapter, we present a new model of TE-driven genome evolution in eukaryotes. This model is based on the recent discovery of the propensity of transposable elements to be transferred horizontally among plant and animal species. We propose that the horizontal transfer of transposable elements (HTTs) is a key mechanism of long-term survival of TEs in eukaryotic genomes, by allowing TEs to escape from the silencing machinery of their host genome. We provide a description of the most recent discoveries of HTTs among plants and animals, an up-to-date description of the TE silencing pathways in eukaryotes, and some characteristics of TE biology in terms of functional impact and of response to environmental stress.

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