Identification and characterization of a novel Tc1-like transposon in the Cyprinus carpio genome

Abstract

Tc1-like transposons are widely distributed within the genome of animal species.We identified a novel Tc1-like transposable element(CCTN) in the genome of common carp,Cyprinus carpio.CCTN is 1 611 bp in length,containing an inverted terminal repeat(214 bp) and a Tc1-like transposase gene(996 bp).The deduced amino acid sequence of CCTN transposase contains a DD(34)E motif,which is essential for the catalytic function of Tc1-like transposase.We used real-time quantitative PCR to measure the copy number of the CCTN transposons in the C.carpio genome and estimated there were ~2.28×103 copies.Phylogenetic analysis suggested that CCTN transposons belong in the same Tc1 family as Tzf-28 of Danio rerio,SALT1 of Salmo salar,and PPTN2 of Pleu-ronectes platessa.Our results provide further insight into the genome of C.carpio.