Copia elements are Class 1 transposons.
They are extremely well characterized and widespread in animals, plants and fungi.
The terminal repeats usually end in TG (5' end) and CA (3' end).
Upon insertion, they create a 5 bp Target site duplication (TSD).
LTR: Long terminal repeat
Function: Contains promoter and terminator elements (dual function).
Protein motifs:
GAG: GAG protein
Function: Required as envelope of virus-like capsid
Protein motifs: CCHC
AP: Aspartic protease
Function:
Protein motifs:
INT: Integrase
Function:
Protein motifs: HHCC DDE
RT: Reverse transcriptase
Function: Reverse transcription of mRNA to DNA, core motif is relatively variable (FY)(IAMV)DD
Protein motifs: YVDD
RH: RNAse H
Function:
Protein motifs: DEDD
LTR: Long terminal repeat
Function: Contains promoter and terminator elements (dual function).
Protein motifs:
| Taxonomic group | Total elements |
|---|---|
| Ascomycota | 141 |
| Cryptophyceae | 11 |
| Embryophyta | 85 |
| Fungi | 113 |
| Haptista | 37 |
| Metazoa | 28 |
| Planta | 2 |
| Plantae | 473 |
| Sar | 12 |