Genetic engineering of insects with mariner transposons

The mariner family of transposons holds considerabie promise for development as genetis tools in insects. Exploitation of this family of transposons generally follcws the model of the P element in Drosophila melangnster however. tere are several features of themariner family thatmake its lnembers particuiarly appropriate as genetic tools for insects. First. they are extremely widespread and diverse in anima: genomes. Second, they persist primarily by repeated horizontal transfers into new host genomes. Third: their transposases are capable of lirnceioning autonomously of host proteins. Fourth. they are capable of fixctioning in diverse host environments. Fifth, their functionig in bacteria such as Escherichia coli allows manipulation of their transposase and inverted terminal repeats to generate improved versions. Sixth, mariner from different subfamilies, and perhaps divergent lineages within subfamilies, do not interact. This chapter reviews some consequences of their prospects as genetic tools for insects.