Transposable element Tn5 transposase. Plastic model

Transposases are a class of enzymes involved in transposition of transposons. Transposons are mobile genetic elements, whose transposition mechanism does not require an RNA intermediate.

Transposition (the process of transposon moving around to different positions within the genome) can be replicative (when a copy of the transposable element (TE) is formed in another locus) and non-replicative, or “cut and paste” (the TE is excised from one locus and inserted into another).

Non-replicative transposition of bacterial transposon Tn5 requires transposase activity. During this process two enzyme molecules specifically recognize and bind terminal inverted repeated sequences of the transposon, then the ends of the TE come together forming a loop. Then transposases make gaps in binding sites producing a structure which is ready for insertion to another place of the genome.
The models comprises two enzyme molecules (light- and dark-blue ones), which are bound to terminal regions of the transposon.

Model size: 7.5×7.5×5.5 cm. Price: USD 100.