MEC: A transposable element from Chironomus thummi (Diptera)

ABSTRACT The I-R element at the R locus destabilizes kernel pigmentation giving the variegated pattern known as stippled (R-st). In trans linkage phase with R-st the element was shown to act as a modifier of stippled, intensifying seed spotting in parallel with effects of the dominant linked modifier M-st. Presence of I-R in the genome was, therefore, shown to be detectable as a modifier of R-st. When this test was used, new modifiers resembling M-st were often detected following mutations of R-st to the stable allele R-sc. Such mutations evidently occurred by transposition of I-R away from the R locus to a site where it was identifiable as a modifier. M-st may be such a transposed I-R. Analysis of mutations to R-sc during the second (sperm-forming) mitosis in pollen grains showed that some of the transposed I-R elements were linked with R, whereas others assorted independently. Their strengths varied from barely discernible to a level equal to M-st. Overreplication frequently accompanied transposition at the sperm-forming mitosis, leading to transposed I-R elements in both the mutant and nonmutant sperm.

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hobo enhancer trapping mutagenesis in Drosophila reveals an insertion specificity different from P elements.

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/135.4.1063 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 135 (4) ◽

pp. 1063-1076 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

D Smith ◽

J Wohlgemuth ◽

B R Calvi ◽

I Franklin ◽

W M Gelbart

Keyword(s):

Drosophila Melanogaster ◽

Transposable Element ◽

Enhancer Trap ◽

P Element ◽

Present Evidence ◽

P Elements ◽

Element Insertion ◽

Enhancer Trapping ◽

Indispensable Tool

Abstract P element enhancer trapping has become an indispensable tool in the analysis of the Drosophila melanogaster genome. However, there is great variation in the mutability of loci by these elements such that some loci are relatively refractory to insertion. We have developed the hobo transposable element for use in enhancer trapping and we describe the results of a hobo enhancer trap screen. In addition, we present evidence that a hobo enhancer trap element has a pattern of insertion into the genome that is different from the distribution of P elements in the available database. Hence, hobo insertion may facilitate access to genes resistant to P element insertion.

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Arabidopsis MORC proteins function in the efficient establishment of RNA directed DNA methylation

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24553-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yan Xue ◽

Zhenhui Zhong ◽

C. Jake Harris ◽

Javier Gallego-Bartolomé ◽

Ming Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽

Transposable Element ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Protein Function ◽

C Elegans ◽

Eukaryotic Organisms

AbstractThe Microrchidia (MORC) family of ATPases are required for transposable element (TE) silencing and heterochromatin condensation in plants and animals, and C. elegans MORC-1 has been shown to topologically entrap and condense DNA. In Arabidopsis thaliana, mutation of MORCs has been shown to reactivate silent methylated genes and transposons and to decondense heterochromatic chromocenters, despite only minor changes in the maintenance of DNA methylation. Here we provide the first evidence localizing Arabidopsis MORC proteins to specific regions of chromatin and find that MORC4 and MORC7 are closely co-localized with sites of RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). We further show that MORC7, when tethered to DNA by an artificial zinc finger, can facilitate the establishment of RdDM. Finally, we show that MORCs are required for the efficient RdDM mediated establishment of DNA methylation and silencing of a newly integrated FWA transgene, even though morc mutations have no effect on the maintenance of preexisting methylation at the endogenous FWA gene. We propose that MORCs function as a molecular tether in RdDM complexes to reinforce RdDM activity for methylation establishment. These findings have implications for MORC protein function in a variety of other eukaryotic organisms.

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Comprehensive identification of transposable element insertions using multiple sequencing technologies

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-24041-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chong Chu ◽

Rebeca Borges-Monroy ◽

Vinayak V. Viswanadham ◽

Soohyun Lee ◽

Heng Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transposable Element ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Endogenous Retroviruses ◽

Whole Genome Sequencing Data ◽

Whole Genome ◽

Sequencing Data ◽

Short Read ◽

Sequencing Technologies ◽

Long Read ◽

And Function

AbstractTransposable elements (TEs) help shape the structure and function of the human genome. When inserted into some locations, TEs may disrupt gene regulation and cause diseases. Here, we present xTea (x-Transposable element analyzer), a tool for identifying TE insertions in whole-genome sequencing data. Whereas existing methods are mostly designed for short-read data, xTea can be applied to both short-read and long-read data. Our analysis shows that xTea outperforms other short read-based methods for both germline and somatic TE insertion discovery. With long-read data, we created a catalogue of polymorphic insertions with full assembly and annotation of insertional sequences for various types of retroelements, including pseudogenes and endogenous retroviruses. Notably, we find that individual genomes have an average of nine groups of full-length L1s in centromeres, suggesting that centromeres and other highly repetitive regions such as telomeres are a significant yet unexplored source of active L1s. xTea is available at https://github.com/parklab/xTea.

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SINE-B1 Distribution and Chromosome Rearrangements in the South American Proechimys gr. goeldii (Echimyidae, Rodentia)

Cytogenetic and Genome Research ◽

10.1159/000513106 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Naiara P. Araújo ◽

Radarane S. Sena ◽

Cibele R. Bonvicino ◽

Gustavo C.S. Kuhn ◽

Marta Svartman

Keyword(s):

Transposable Element ◽

Genome Evolution ◽

Significant Role ◽

Sex Chromosomes ◽

Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽

Evolutionary Relationship ◽

Chromosome Rearrangements ◽

South American ◽

Gross Chromosomal Rearrangements

Proechimys species are remarkable for their extensive chromosome rearrangements, representing a good model to understand genome evolution. Herein, we cytogenetically analyzed 3 different cytotypes of Proechimys gr. goeldii to assess their evolutionary relationship. We also mapped the transposable element SINE-B1 on the chromosomes of P. gr. goeldii in order to investigate its distribution among individuals and evaluate its possible contribution to karyotype remodeling in this species. SINE-B1 showed a dispersed distribution along chromosome arms and was also detected at the pericentromeric regions of some chromosomes, including pair 1 and the sex chromosomes, which are involved in chromosome rearrangements. In addition, we describe a new cytotype for P. gr. goeldii, reinforcing the significant role of gross chromosomal rearrangements during the evolution of the genus. The results of FISH with SINE-B1 suggest that this issue should be more deeply investigated for a better understanding of its role in the mechanisms involved in the wide variety of Proechimys karyotypes.

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