Abstract: The present invention refers to a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acid(s) into the DNA of a cell by using a member of the human mariner transposases. The invention further refers to this transposase and to transposons used in the inventive gene transfer system, comprising a nucleic acid sequence with flanking repeats (IRs and/or IR/DRs). Furthermore, applications of this gene transfer system are also disclosed such as gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, gene discovery (including genome mapping), mobilization of genes, library screening, or functional analysis of genomes in vivo and in vitro. Finally, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acid(s) into the DNA of a cell by using a member of the human mariner transposases. The invention further refers to this transposase and to transposons used in the inventive gene transfer system, comprising a nucleic acid sequence with flanking repeats (IRs and/or IR/DRs). Furthermore, applications of this gene transfer system are also disclosed such as gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, gene discovery (including genome mapping), mobilization of genes, library screening, or functional analysis of genomes in vivo and in vitro. Finally, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transposon-based DNA integration system comprising (a) a transposon which is devoid of a polynucleotide encoding a functional transposase and which comprises a polynucleotide of interest, wherein the transposon comprises inverted repeats having a degree of identity with the repeats within SEQ ID NO: 2 and its inverted repeat, respectively, of at least 90%; and (b) a transposase having at its N-terminus a DNA binding domain comprising the sequences of SEQ ID NO: 3 and 4; or (c) a polynucleotide encoding the transposase of (b). The present invention further relates to a method of transferring a polynucleotide of interest into cells of a vertebrate comprising the step of introducing the transposon-based DNA integration system of the invention into said cells.