Characterization of multiple lineages of Tc1-like elements within the genome of the amphibian Xenopus tropicalis

These new TLEs were named Eagle, Froggy, Jumpy, Maya, Xeminos, XtTXr and XtTXz. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that their closest relatives are present in the genomes of actinopterygian and amphibian. Interestingly, Maya and Xeminos share remarkable characteristics. Maya contains a [D,D(36)E] motif but is not related to any described TLE so far. Xeminos is the first vertebrate TLE strongly related to an invertebrate lineage. Finally, we have identified for most of these TLEs, copies containing an intact transposase ORF suggesting that these elements may still be active.