Interspersed Repetitive Sequences

**Definition:** 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.

**Tree numbers:** - G02.111.570.080.708.330 - G05.360.080.708.330 - G05.360.340.024.425

**Synonyms:** - Dispersed Repetitive Sequences - Interspersed Repetitive Elements - Repetitive Sequences, Dispersed - Repetitive Sequences, Interspersed