Abstract
mariner is a transposable element of the Tc1/mariner superfamily that is widely distributed in various species. It was discovered in Drosophila mauritiana owing to a white-peach eye color mutation, and since then it has been used as a research tool in many systems and species. mariner element mobilization consists of cut-and-paste transposon excision and insertion. Here, apart from giving a historical overview of the discovery, distribution, and classification of mariner elements, we address the factors responsible for their particularly high somatic mobilization activity, with a focus on stress responses. We also address the usage of mariner transposases as research tools and how somatic mobilization can currently be detected.
