An abundant LINE-like element amplified in the genome of Lilium speciosum

Nonautonomous inverted repeat Alien transposable elements are associated with genes of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants

Alien are highly repeated plant transposable elements characterized by their small size (approx. 400 bp), high A + T content, target site specificity, potential to form stable secondary structures and possession of a conserved 28-bp terminal inverted repeat (TIR). Besides the TIR, they contain subterminal inverted repeat motifs (SIRM), as well as the 5'-CATGCAT domain which has been reported to be a cis-acting regulatory element of gene expression in some plant species. Although they were first identified in the intron of the bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) Sn-2 gene and in the promoter region of the potato starch phosphorylase-encoding gene, Alien arranged in tandem are present in the promoter of patatin class-II genes. PCR on the bell pepper genomic DNA using the Alien TIR consensus sequence as primer yielded DNA fragments of nearly 400 bp. These fragments have characteristics of transposable elements and contain numerous motifs reminiscent of Alien elements. Importantly, PCR on genomic DNA extracts from various monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants using the TIR consensus sequence as primer and subsequent hybridization with different Alien probes revealed that these elements are ubiquitously present and highly repeated in the genomes of higher plants.

Chromosomal and genomic organization of Ty1-copia-like retrotransposon sequences in the genus Avena

A cloned repetitive sequence, pAvKB30, obtained from an Avena vaviloviana (AB genome) genomic library, along with two polymerase chain reaction products derived from the conserved region of the reverse transcriptase (RT) gene of retrotransposons, were characterized molecularly and cytologically. The cloned DNA fragment was a dispersed repeat present in all Avena species used in this study (A. strigosa, A. clauda, A. vaviloviana, A. magna, and A. sativa). The fragment was sequenced (210 bp) and found to be 69.5% homologous to part of WIS-2-1A, and 60.5% homologous to the leader sequence of BARE-1; both of these elements have been characterized as Ty1-copia-like retrotransposons in wheat and barley, respectively. In situ hybridization of pAvKB30 to diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid oat species revealed that the probe is present on both arms of all chromosomes (A, B, C, and D genomes) but is excluded from their centromeric and nucleolar organizer regions. By using double in situ hybridization in hexaploid A. sativa (ACD genome), pAvKB30 was found to be present in lower copy numbers in C-genome chromosomes compared with A- and D-genome chromosomes. Furthermore, under low stringency conditions, pAvKB30 hybridized on Southern blots containing barley, wheat, rye, and Arrhenatherum DNA. However, under high stringency conditions, it hybridized only on Arrhenatherum DNA, which is considered to be the genus most closely related to Avena. All Avena species included in this study yielded a PCR product when the primers from the RT domain of retrotransposons were used. Two products, rtA, obtained by using A. strigosa (A(s) genome) as template, and rtC, obtained by using A. clauda (Cp genome) as template, gave Southern and in situ hybridization results similar to pAvKB30, but each was more abundant in its genome of origin.

The Ty1-copia group retrotransposons in Vicia species: copy number, sequence heterogeneity and chromosomal localisation

We present an in-depth study of the Ty1-copia group of retrotransposons within the plant genus Vicia, which contains species with widely differing genome sizes. We have compared the numbers and sequence heterogeneities of these genetic elements in three diploid Vicia species chosen to represent large (V. faba, 1C = 13.3 pg), medium (V. melanops, 1C = 11.5 pg) and small (V. sativa, 1C = 2.3 pg) genomes within the genus. The copy numbers of the retrotransposons are all high but vary greatly, with V. faba containing approximately 10(6) copies, V. melanops about 1000 copies and V. sativa 5000 copies. The degree of sequence heterogeneity of Ty1-copia group elements correlates with their copy number within each genome, but neither heterogeneity nor copy number are related to the genome size of the host. In situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes shows that the retrotransposons in V.faba are distributed throughout all chromosomes but are much less abundant in certain heterochromatic regions. These results are discussed in the context of plant retrotransposon evolution.

A retrotransposon-like sequence linked to the S-locus of Nicotiana alata is expressed in styles in response to touch

We have identified a family of repetitive sequences in the genome of Nicotiana alata named Tna1 (Transposon of N. alata). The first element we characterised was a genomic clone for the N. alata s6-ribonuclease (S6-RNase), a gene required for self-incompatibility in this species. The DNA sequence of this element resembles the integrase domain of retrotransposons of the gypsy class and is most similar to a retrotransposon from Lilium henryi. A transcript present in N.alata styles (self-incompatibility genotype S6S6) hybridized to Tna1 and accumulated in the style following either pollination or touching. This transcript was cloned from a cDNA library and was encoded by second, partial Tna1 elements. Neither the transcribed sequence nor the original Tna1 element contain an open reading frame or is likely to be able to transpose. The second element was mapped using a population of N.alata plants segregating for alleles of the self-incompatibility locus and is closely linked to the S6-allele. The Tna1 element is present in a number of Nicotiana species and appears to have been active at least twice during the evolution of this genus.

A moderately repetitive DNA sequence in alfalfa is transcribed in a floral-specific manner

Based on DNA sequence analysis of 5 clones of repetitive DNA from alfalfa (Medicago sativa), we propose the existence of a dispersed middle repetitive element about 3400 bp long with a copy number in the range of 2-3 x 10(3) per haploid genome. The average A+T content of the sequences was 54.6%, compared with 61.4% for the alfalfa genome. Sequence homologies between overlapping regions of the clones ranged from 85 to 89.5% with an average of 86.6%; sequence divergence was due largely to single base pair changes, with deletions or insertions occurring randomly across sequences. An open reading frame (ORF) in one clone, RPE15, contained homologies to cereal prolamin genes and a legumin box was located upstream of the coding region. A Northern blot of RNA from various alfalfa tissues, probed with the above clone containing this ORF, showed an extensive heterodispersed pattern of hybridization in the late stages of flower bud development but in no other tissues.

Detection of section-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers in Lilium

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were utilized for the identification of Lilium species and inter-specific hybrids. The optimum annealing temperature of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the RAPD assay in Lilium was 54 °C, which is relatively higher than the temperature used for other genera reported by previous researchers. Among 76 primers used to amplify genomic DNA by PCR, 18 primers (24%) generated polymorphic DNA fragments in Lilium species and hybrids. Cultivars were also identified by RAPD markers. Some amplified fragments were unique to species of each section and to hybrids derived from these species; that is, they were the section-specific DNA markers. Sections, Sinomartagon, Leucolirion b, Leucolirion a and Archelirion could be identified by 6 section-specific markers amplified with five primers. Seven inter-section hybrids showed the section-specific bands of both parental sections, indicating that these markers would be useful for identifying the parental sections of inter-section hybrids.

Physiological aspects of genome variability in tissue culture. II. Growth phase-dependent quantitative variability of repetitive BstNI fragments of primary cultures of Daucus carota L

Systematic investigations on the occurrence of differential DNA replication in carrot cultures, expressed at the total genome level, were performed. The genome of Daucus carota L. could be characterized by a pattern of repetitive BstNI fragments that was independent of tissue specificity or cultivar differences. Characterization of the genomic DNA of the secondary phloem of carrot roots, in comparison to the DNA of the induced primary cultures at different growth phases, revealed dramatic differences in the copy number of the repetitive fragments. Highly proliferative tissue showed extensive reduction in the proportion of repetitive sequences in the genome in all of the 37 investigated variants. In contrast, during subsequent transition to stationary growth the repetitive fragments re-amplified. The results suggest that the quantitative genome organisation was involved in the regulation of the growth potential of cells. A hypothesis is discussed suggesting a determining influence of the observed differential DNA replication on cell-cycle rates and the cell program of proliferative tissue by structural and positioning effects on DNA loops. To study the causality of somaclonal variation, research on the relationship between physiological genome variability and the induction of heritable changes is recommended.

Analysis and chromosomal localization of retrotransposons in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.): LINEs and Ty1-copia-like elements as major components of the genome

DNA sequences of the reverse transcriptase gene of long terminal repeat (LTR) and non-LTR (non-viral) retrotransposons have been isolated and cloned from the genome of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Both retrotransposon types are highly amplified in sugar beet and may account for 2-5% of the genome. The BNR1 family, representing the first non-viral retrotransposon reported from a dicotyledonous species, shows homology to the mammalian L1 family of long interspersed repeated sequences (LINEs) and to retrotransposable elements from maize and lily. Sequences of the Tbv family are homologous to the Ty1-copia class of LTR retrotransposons. The BNR1 and Tbv retrotransposon families are characterized by sequence heterogeneity and are probably defective. The deduced peptide sequences were used to investigate the relation to other retroelements from plants, insects and mammals. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to investigate the physical distribution and revealed that both retrotransposon families are present on all sugar beet chromosomes and largely excluded from chromosomal regions harbouring the 18S-5.8S-25S rRNA genes. The BNR1 family is organized in discrete clusters, while the Tbv family of Ty1-copia-like retrotransposons shows a more uniform distribution along chromosome arms and is absent from some chromosomal regions. These contrasting distributions emphasize the differences in evolutionary amplification and dispersion mechanisms between the two types of retrotransposons. The in situ results of both elements reflect significant features of a higher order structure of the genome, as it is known for both short interspersed repeated sequences (SINEs) and LINEs in human.

Plant transposable elements and the genome

Transposable elements are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and share many common features, both structural and mechanistic, with mobile elements from other eukaryotes. Transposition of these elements can influence plant genes and genomes in many ways. It is also becoming clear that transposable element derived sequences can be a major component of plant genomes. These sequences are probably, therefore, very significant factors in plant evolution.

Tad1-1, an active LINE-like element of Neurospora crassa

Tad is a LINE-like retrotransposon of Neurospora crassa. The element was originally detected and cloned using the am gene as a transposon trap in hybrid strains derived from a cross of Adiopodoume (a wild collected strain) and a laboratory strain devoid of Tad elements. We report the cloning and sequencing of an active Tad element, Tad1-1, which is capable of independent transposition. Transposition was demonstrated by screening for transfer of the element from a donor nucleus that contained the Tad1-1 element as the only active Tad, into a naive nucleus within a forced heterokaryon. We also report here the sequence analysis of Tad1-1, and its comparison with the sequence of another active element, Tad3-2. These elements are approximately 7 kb in length. They contain two long open reading frames (ORFs) encoded on the strand of the same polarity as the full-length transcript. ORF1 encodes a putative protein of 486 amino acids. Homology to the first ORF of other LINE elements is confined to three cysteine-rich motifs, located near the carboxy-terminus, that are thought to be involved in binding nucleic acids. The second ORF is 1156 amino acids in length and shows homology to the reverse transcriptase domains of various retroviruses and retrotransposons. Tad1-1 and Tad3-2 differ in only ten positions over their whole length.

Mobile inverted-repeat elements of the Tourist family are associated with the genes of many cereal grasses

Tourist was originally described as a 128-bp insertion mutation in the maize wx-B2 allele. Subsequent analysis revealed that Tourist elements are in the introns or flanking sequences of 11 maize genes and a single barley gene. In this study we report that Tourist elements are frequently associated with the wild-type genes of two other grasses, rice and sorghum. Six of 35 rice and 5 of 8 sorghum complete gene sequences reported to date contain Tourist elements. Furthermore, 11 additional maize genes have been found to contain Tourist elements, bringing the current total of elements associated with maize genes to 23. Sequence comparison of Tourist elements has led to the identification of four subfamilies, designated A-D. Evidence is presented for the recent mobility of elements in three of these subfamilies and in three of the four grass species. These data suggest that Tourist elements are highly repetitive in the genomes of some and perhaps all members of the grasses.

Transnuclear retrotransposition of the Tad element of Neurospora

Tad is a LINE-like DNA element found in Neutrospora crassa. A Neurospora artificial intron based on the first intron of the am (glutamate dehydrogenase) gene was constructed and introduced, in the correct orientation, into a unique Nru I site in open reading frame 1 of an active Tad element, Tad1-1. Transformants containing the Tad element with the artificial intron were placed in forced heterokaryons with strains lacking Tad elements. Tad was shown to transpose between nuclei in these heterokaryons. Examination of the transposed Tad elements showed that the intron had been precisely removed in all cases. This confirms that Tad is a retrotransposon and that there is a cytoplasmic phase in these retrotransposition events.