Mutator转座子因其拷贝数高、正向突变频率高、倾向于插入低拷贝的DNA序列等独特的遗传特性，已成为基因组学研究中重要的诱变剂之一。本文对Mutator转座子的发现、Mutator家族的分类、Mutator转座子的特性、Mutator元件的表观调控、Mutator转座子标签在植物基因组学研究中的应用作了综述。对Mutator系统的研究进行了展望。

Due to its high copy numbers, high forward mutation rate and preferential insertion into low-copy DNA sequences, Mutator transposon has been widely used as mutagen in genomic research. The discovery, classification, transposition specificity and epigenetic regulation of Mutator transposon were described. The application of Mutator tagging in plant genomic research was also presented. The role of Mu-like elements in genome evolution was briefly depicted. Mutator, the direction of Mutator transposon research in future was discussed.