[Transposable element mariner].
Mariner and mariner-like elements (MLEs) have been found in a wide range of organisms including human since its discovery in Drosophila mauritiana. MLEs belong to the mariner/Tc1 superfamily, one of the most diverse and widespread Class II transposable elements. MLEs have a conserved "D,D(34)D" motif in their transposases and they transpose by cut-and-paste mechanisms. Their extraordinarily wide host range and horizontal transmission in distantly related species indicate that they do not need additional host-specific factors for transposition. The evidence that MLEs could transform a wide variety of organisms especially the vertebrates supported the host-independent mechanism and suggested the availability as a kind of potential transforming vector.