Like other transposons, MITEs are inserted predominantly in gene-rich regions and this can be a reason that they affect gene expression and play important roles in accelerating eukaryotic evolution.
[9] Based on their relations in sequences of TIRs with known TE superfamilies, MITEs have been classified into certain families.
Stowaway is a MITE family in Pisum sativum L. with TSD TA in relation to Tc1/mariner TE superfamily.
Stowaway elements possess target site specificity, have small size and conserved terminal inverted repeat.
[15] Based on the presence or absence of MITE family Heartbreaker (Hbr) in maize genome, a molecular marker was developed.
[16] Software like FINDMITE use sequence entries of some average sized bp to identify MITE families.