Practice question

P-elements constitute family of Class II DNA transposons endemic to Drosophila melanogaster discovered through hybrid dysgenesis syndrome characterized by sterility, high mutation rate, and chromosome rearrangements in crosses between P and M strains. Transposition requires 87 kDa transposase encoded by full-length 2907 bp P element, active exclusively in germline due to tissue-specific splicing of third intron. Insertion preference for 5' regions of genes influences mutagenesis screens. Harnessing P-element mobility enabled germline transformation using marked defective elements as vectors for transgenesis and enhancer trapping.