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Gebrie A. Transposable elements as essential elements in the control of gene expression. Mob DNA 2023; 14:9. [PMID: 37596675 PMCID: PMC10439571 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-023-00297-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Interspersed repetitions called transposable elements (TEs), commonly referred to as mobile elements, make up a significant portion of the genomes of higher animals. TEs contribute in controlling the expression of genes locally and even far away at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, which is one of their significant functional effects on gene function and genome evolution. There are different mechanisms through which TEs control the expression of genes. First, TEs offer cis-regulatory regions in the genome with their inherent regulatory features for their own expression, making them potential factors for controlling the expression of the host genes. Promoter and enhancer elements contain cis-regulatory sites generated from TE, which function as binding sites for a variety of trans-acting factors. Second, a significant portion of miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to have TEs that encode for regulatory RNAs, revealing the TE origin of these RNAs. Furthermore, it was shown that TE sequences are essential for these RNAs' regulatory actions, which include binding to the target mRNA. By being a member of cis-regulatory and regulatory RNA sequences, TEs therefore play essential regulatory roles. Additionally, it has been suggested that TE-derived regulatory RNAs and cis-regulatory regions both contribute to the evolutionary novelty of gene regulation. Additionally, these regulatory systems arising from TE frequently have tissue-specific functions. The objective of this review is to discuss TE-mediated gene regulation, with a particular emphasis on the processes, contributions of various TE types, differential roles of various tissue types, based mostly on recent studies on humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gebrie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
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Divashuk MG, Nikitina EA, Sokolova VM, Yurkina AI, Kocheshkova AA, Razumova OV, Karlov GI, Kroupin PY. qPCR as a Selective Tool for Cytogenetics. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:80. [PMID: 36616209 PMCID: PMC9824742 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
qPCR is widely used in quantitative studies of plant genomes and transcriptomes. In this article, this method is considered as an auxiliary step in the preparation and selection of markers for FISH analysis. Several cases from the authors' research on populations of the same species were reviewed, and a comparison of the closely related species, as well as the adaptation of the markers, based on satellite tandem repeats (TRs) using quantitative qPCR data was conducted. In the selected cases, TRs with contrast abundance were identified in the cases of the Dasypyrum, Thinopyrum and Aegilops species, and the transfer of TRs between the wheat and related species was demonstrated. TRs with intraspecific copy number variation were revealed in Thinopyrum ponticum and wheat-wheatgrass partial amphidiploids, and the TR showing predominant hybridization to the sea buckthorn Y chromosome was identified. Additionally, problems such as the absence of a reference gene for qPCR, and low-efficiency and self-complementary primers, were illustrated. In the cases considered here, the qPCR results clearly show high correlation with the subsequent results of the FISH analysis, which confirms the value of this method for cytogenetic studies.
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Bernardt TM, Treviso EM, Cancian M, Silva MDM, da Rocha JBT, Loreto ELS. Chemotherapy Drugs Act Differently in the Expression and Somatic Mobilization of the mariner Transposable Element in Drosophila simulans. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122374. [PMID: 36553641 PMCID: PMC9777735 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are abundant in genomes. Their mobilization can lead to genetic variability that is useful for evolution, but can also have deleterious biological effects. Somatic mobilization (SM) has been linked to degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer. We used a Drosophila simulans strain, in which SM can be measured by counting red spots in the eyes, to investigate how chemotherapeutic agents affect expression and SM of the mariner TE. Flies were treated with Cisplatin, Dacarbazine, and Daunorubicin. After acute exposure, relative expression of mariner was quantified by RT-qPCR and oxidative stress was measured by biochemical assays. Exposure to 50 and 100 µg/mL Cisplatin increased mariner expression and ROS levels; catalase activity increased at 100 µg/mL. With chronic exposure, the number of spots also increased, indicating higher mariner SM. Dacarbazine (50 and 100 µg/mL) did not significantly alter mariner expression or mobilization or ROS levels, but decreased catalase activity (100 µg/mL). Daunorubicin (25 and 50 µM) increased mariner expression, but decreased mariner SM. ROS and catalase activity were also reduced. Our data suggest that stress factors may differentially affect the expression and SM of TEs. The increase in mariner transposase gene expression is necessary, but not sufficient for mariner SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taís Maus Bernardt
- Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Estéfani Maria Treviso
- Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-000, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana Cancian
- Genetic and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre 91501-970, RS, Brazil
| | - Monica de Medeiros Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima 1000, Camobi, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - João Batista Teixeira da Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima 1000, Camobi, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
| | - Elgion Lucio Silva Loreto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima 1000, Camobi, Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Somatic Mobilization: High Somatic Insertion Rate of mariner Transposable Element in Drosophila simulans. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13050454. [PMID: 35621789 PMCID: PMC9144738 DOI: 10.3390/insects13050454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although transposable elements (TEs) are usually silent in somatic tissues, they are sometimes mobilized in the soma and can potentially have biological consequences. The mariner element is one of the TEs involved in somatic mobilization (SM) in Drosophila and has a high rate of somatic excision. It is also known that temperature is an important factor in the increase of the mariner element SM in the fly. However, it is important to emphasize that excision is only one step of TE transposition, and the final step in this process is insertion. In the present study, we used an assay based on sequencing of the mariner flanking region and developed a pipeline to identify novel mariner insertions in Drosophila simulans at 20 and 28 °C. We found that flies carrying two mariner copies (one autonomous and one non-autonomous) had an average of 236.4 (±99.3) to 279 (±107.7) new somatic insertions at 20 °C and an average of 172.7 (±95.3) to 252.6 (±67.3) at 28 °C. In addition, we detected fragments containing mariner and others without mariner in the same regions with low-coverage long-read sequencing, indicating the process of excision and insertion. In conclusion, a low number of autonomous copies of the mariner transposon can promote a high rate of new somatic insertions during the developmental stages of Drosophila. Additionally, the developed method seems to be sensitive and adequate for the verification and estimation of somatic insertion.
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Stoffel TJR, Segatto AL, Silva MM, Prestes A, Barbosa NBV, Rocha JBT, Loreto ELS. Cyclophosphamide in Drosophila promotes genes and transposable elements differential expression and mitochondrial dysfunction. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 230:108718. [PMID: 31982542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an alkylating agent used for cancer chemotherapy, organ transplantation, and autoimmune disease treatment. Here, mRNA sequencing and high-resolution respirometry were performed to evaluate the alterations of Drosophila melanogaster gene expression fed with CPA under acute (0.1 mg/mL, for 24 h) and chronic (0.05 mg/mL, for 35 days) treatments. Differential expression analysis was performed using Cufflinks-Cuffdiff, DESeq2, and edgeR software. CPA affected genes are involved in several biological functions, including stress response and immune-related pathways, oxi-reduction and apoptotic processes, and cuticle and vitelline membrane formation. In particular, this is the first report of CPA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the downregulation of genes involved with mitochondria constituents. CPA treatment also changed the transcription pattern of transposable elements (TEs) from the gypsy and copia superfamilies. The results presented here provided evidence of CPA mitochondrial toxicity mechanisms and that CPA can modify TEs transcription in Drosophila flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tailini J R Stoffel
- PPG Genética e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana L Segatto
- Dep de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Monica M Silva
- Dep de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Prestes
- Dep de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil; Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 #55-66, 080002, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Nilda B V Barbosa
- Dep de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - João B T Rocha
- Dep de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Elgion L S Loreto
- PPG Genética e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Dep de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Univ. Fed. de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
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Drongitis D, Aniello F, Fucci L, Donizetti A. Roles of Transposable Elements in the Different Layers of Gene Expression Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225755. [PMID: 31731828 PMCID: PMC6888579 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The biology of transposable elements (TEs) is a fascinating and complex field of investigation. TEs represent a substantial fraction of many eukaryotic genomes and can influence many aspects of DNA function that range from the evolution of genetic information to duplication, stability, and gene expression. Their ability to move inside the genome has been largely recognized as a double-edged sword, as both useful and deleterious effects can result. A fundamental role has been played by the evolution of the molecular processes needed to properly control the expression of TEs. Today, we are far removed from the original reductive vision of TEs as “junk DNA”, and are more convinced that TEs represent an essential element in the regulation of gene expression. In this review, we summarize some of the more recent findings, mainly in the animal kingdom, concerning the active roles that TEs play at every level of gene expression regulation, including chromatin modification, splicing, and protein translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Drongitis
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Laura Fucci
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Aldo Donizetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (F.A.); (L.F.)
- Correspondence:
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Yushkova E. Effects of ionizing radiation at Drosophila melanogaster with differently active hobo transposons. Int J Radiat Biol 2019; 95:1564-1572. [PMID: 31287364 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1642534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: The role of transposable elements in formation of radiobiological effects is understudied and contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of Drosophila melanogaster to irradiation depending on the level of activity hobo transposons and the role of hobo transposons in formation of ionizing radiation late effects.Materials and methods: The individuals of Drosophila melanogaster with different level activity of hobo-elements were exposed to acute irradiation in doses of 1-100 Gy at early ontogenesis stages. The reaction of individuals to exposure was studied using the larvae survival rate, morphological parameters of reproduction system, DNA damage rate, and mutability of mini-white locus.Results: We found the pronounced linear deferred effects of irradiation for animals with a high activity level of full-size hobo copies. The radiosensitivity of individuals with a mean level of activity transposon was whether higher or did not differ from the radiosensitivity of animals with a low activity hobo.Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that full-size hobo-elements with a high activity level (less often with a mean activity level) are responsible for delayed deleterious irradiation effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Yushkova
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Syktyvkar, Russia
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