Eukaryotic mobile genetic elements: the past, the present, and the future

The review considers the most interesting and significant findings in the structure and functions of the eukaryotic genome revealed in studies on mobile genetic elements, in particular, Drosophila retrotransposons. The history of discovery, classification, structural organization, and mechanisms of transcription and transposition of mobile elements are described. Emphasis is placed on the role of mobile elements in the functioning of individual genes and the entire genome. Retrotransposons proved to be a good model for studying the mechanisms of interaction between genome components. Elucidation of the problems considered will contribute to out understanding of the genome as an integral system.