= Non-autonomous transposable element
A <non-autonomous transposable element> is a <transposable element> that lacks some machinery needed for its own mobilization and can instead use compatible machinery supplied from elsewhere. It differs from an <autonomous transposable element> in coding capacity or functional dependence, rather than simply in whether movement happened to be observed in one sample. A <DNA transposon> can be non-autonomous, and dependence is a separate classification question from the presence of an <RNA> transposition intermediate.<A unified classification system for eukaryotic transposable elements by Thomas Wicker and others>[Classification framework and treatment of autonomous/non-autonomous elements]{ref}
A <P-element vector> illustrates the distinction. The mobile <DNA> can retain recognition sequences while <P-element transposase> is supplied separately. The carrier's sequences specify what the enzyme acts on; they need not encode that enzyme themselves.<P element in FlyBase>[Transformation-vector and separate transposase-source sections]{ref}
An experimental comparison can therefore ask two questions: does the carrier retain the required recognition sequences, and is compatible enzyme present? A carrier with intact recognition sequences might move when enzyme is supplied and remain stationary without it. Deleting essential recognition sequences could prevent movement even when enzyme is abundant. These comparisons separate dependence on a supplied <protein> from loss of the <DNA> features that make the carrier a recognizable target. They also show why non-autonomous does not mean permanently immobile.
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