User:Walternmoss/R2 retrotransposon 5' structure

The R2 element is a non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposable element that inserts at a specific site in the 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of most insect genomes In order to insert itself into the genome, retrotransposon encoded protein (R2) protein makes a specific nick in one of the DNA strands at the insertion site and uses the 3′ hydroxyl group exposed by this nick to prime the reverse transcription process termed target primed reverse transcription (TPRT), where the RNA genome is transcribed into DNA.

Conserved Secondary Structure in the R2 Element 3' UTR

The R2 element 3' UTR RNA is a cis-acting element identified in R2 retrotransposons which is involved in priming the reverse transcription process (an essential part of retrotransposon insertion into the host genome). An RNA fragment found in the R2 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), has been shown to interact with one copy of R2 protein during TPRT. This fragment has been shown to possess conserved secondary structure within Drosophila and silk moths, and also between the two groups. .