What is the Difference Between Replicative Transposition and Cut and Paste Transposition?

Replicative transposition and cut-and-paste transposition are two different mechanisms through which transposable elements, or jumping genes, can change their position within a genome. The main differences between these two mechanisms are:

1. Mechanism of Transposition: In replicative transposition, the transposon is copied to a new location, while in cut-and-paste transposition, the transposon is moved to a new location.
2. Original Transposon: Replicative transposition leaves a copy of the original transposon in place, while cut-and-paste transposition completely excises the transposon from its original location before moving it to a new site.
3. Transposase Involvement: In both mechanisms, transposase enzyme is involved. In cut-and-paste transposition, transposase nicks the DNA, trims the 3'OH ends, and excises the transposon. In replicative transposition, transposase brings the transposon ends together and mediates the ligation of the 3'OH ends of the transposon to the 5'OH at the insertion site.
4. Occurrence: Replicative transposition typically occurs in class I transposons, while cut-and-paste transposition usually occurs in class II transposons.
5. Speed: Replicative transposition is generally faster than cut-and-paste transposition.

In summary, replicative transposition involves copying the transposon to a new location while leaving a copy at the original site, while cut-and-paste transposition involves excision of the transposon from its original location and its movement to a new site. The choice between these two mechanisms depends on the class of the transposon and the cellular environment.

Comparative Table: Replicative Transposition vs Cut vs Paste Transposition

Here is a table comparing the differences between replicative transposition and cut-and-paste (non-replicative) transposition:

Both replicative and cut-and-paste transposition involve a transposon-encoded transposase binding, bringing transposon ends together, and catalyzing single-stranded cleavage (hydrolysis), leaving "staggered ends". The main difference between the two mechanisms is that replicative transposition leaves a copy of the original transposon in place while inserting a new copy elsewhere in the genome, whereas cut-and-paste transposition completely removes the transposon from its original location and moves it to a new location.