Tn5 transposase: a key tool to decrypt random transposition

With the development of modern molecular biotechnology and the continuous deepening of research on gene function, Tn5 transposase has received more and more attention due to its characteristics of randomness and high efficiency in transposition. It has now been widely used as an important tool in the field of molecular biology and genetic engineering. Known for its "cut-and-paste" mechanism that allows for the integration or mobilization of DNA sequences within genomes, making it good at library construction of high-throughput sequencing. However, the weakness still exists in Tn5 transposase that hinders its further application. This article primarily reviews the architecture, catalytic mechanism, and functional modification of Tn5 transposase, as well as its application in advanced transgenic editing and library construction of sequencing. Furthermore, it provides prospects for future research in this field.