Are transposable elements replicons?

Question

[Gasstationwithoutpums]

I'm part of a group entering a bacterial genome in GenBank, and we have three sequences: the chromosome, a plasmid, and a transposable element (from the IS607 family). The entry form asks for the replicons. Our question is, does the transposon count as a replicon for this purpose? The standard definition of "replicon" is just vague enough for us to be unsure what counts and what doesn't, and we don't know what GenBank means by the term - I couldn't find an operational definition in the documentation of the submission forms.

Does anyone know where to find a definitive answer? Or at least what the current best practice seems to be?

Answer 1

[5heikki]

I think, in this context, generally only chromosomes (host/plastid/mitochondria) and plasmids count as replicons. Prophages may also count. Transposable elements? Nah. You could always email NCBI..