Transposable elements in medaka fish

Abstract

DNA-based transposable elements appear to have been nearly or completely inactivated in vertebrates. Therefore the elements of the medaka fish Oryzias latipes that still have transposition activity provide precious materials for studying transposition mechanisms, as well as the evolution, of transposable elements in vertebrates. Fortunately, the medaka fish has a strong background for genetic and evolutionary studies. The advantages of this host species and their elements, together with results so far obtained, are here described.