Telomeric P elements associated with cytotype regulation of the P transposon family in Drosophila melanogaster

P-element invasion fuels molecular adaptation in laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic parasites that frequently invade new host genomes through horizontal transfer. Invading TEs often exhibit a burst of transposition, followed by reduced transposition rates as repression evolves in the host. We recreated the horizontal transfer of P-element DNA transposons into a Drosophila melanogaster host and followed the expansion of TE copies and evolution of host repression in replicate laboratory populations reared at different temperatures. We observed that while populations maintained at high temperatures rapidly go extinct after TE invasion, those maintained at lower temperatures persist, allowing for TE spread and the evolution of host repression. We also surprisingly discovered that invaded populations experienced recurrent insertion of P-elements into a specific long non-coding RNA, lncRNA:CR43651, and that these insertion alleles are segregating at unusually high frequency in experimental populations, indicative of positive selection. We propose that, in addition to driving the evolution of repression, transpositional bursts of invading TEs can drive molecular adaptation.

Rapid evolution of piRNA-mediated silencing of an invading transposable element was driven by abundant de novo mutations

The regulation of transposable element (TE) activity by small RNAs is a ubiquitous feature of germlines. However, despite the obvious benefits to the host in terms of ensuring the production of viable gametes and maintaining the integrity of the genomes they carry, it remains controversial whether TE regulation evolves adaptively. We examined the emergence and evolutionary dynamics of repressor alleles after P-elements invaded the Drosophila melanogaster genome in the mid-twentieth century. In many animals including Drosophila, repressor alleles are produced by transpositional insertions into piRNA clusters, genomic regions encoding the Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that regulate TEs. We discovered that ∼94% of recently collected isofemale lines in the Drosophila melanogaster Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) contain at least one P-element insertion in a piRNA cluster, indicating that repressor alleles are produced by de novo insertion at an exceptional rate. Furthermore, in our sample of approximately 200 genomes, we uncovered no fewer than 80 unique P-element insertion alleles in at least 15 different piRNA clusters. Finally, we observe no footprint of positive selection on P-element insertions in piRNA clusters, suggesting that the rapid evolution of piRNA-mediated repression in D. melanogaster was driven primarily by mutation. Our results reveal for the first time how the unique genetic architecture of piRNA production, in which numerous piRNA clusters can encode regulatory small RNAs upon transpositional insertion, facilitates the nonadaptive rapid evolution of repression.

Hybrid Genome Evolution by Transposition: An Update

Contrary to the view that hybrids are lineages devoid of evolutionary value, a number of case studies that have been lately reported show how hybrids are at the origin of many species. Some well-documented cases demonstrate that bursts of transposition often follow hybridization, generating new genetic variability. Studies in hybrid transposition strongly suggest that epigenetic changes and divergence in piRNA pathways drive deregulation in TE landscapes. Here, I have focused on mechanisms acting in Drosophila hybrids between two cactophilic species. The results reported here show that while hybrid instability by transposition is a genome-wide event, deregulation by TE overexpression in hybrid ovaries is not a general rule. When piRNA pools of ovaries are studied, results show that TEs with parental differences higher than 2-fold in their piRNA amounts are not more commonly deregulated in hybrids than TEs with similar levels, partially discrediting the generality of the maternal cytotype hypothesis. Some promising results on the piRNA pathway global failure hypothesis, which states that accumulated divergence of piRNA effector proteins is responsible for hybrid TE deregulation, have also been obtained. Altogether, these results suggest that TE deregulation might be driven by several interacting mechanisms. A natural scenario is proposed in which genome instability by transposition leads to hybrid genome reorganization. Small hybrid populations, subjected to natural selection helped by genetic drift, evolve new adaptations adapted to novel environments. The final step is either introgression or even a new hybrid species.

The Evolution of Small-RNA-Mediated Silencing of an Invading Transposable Element

Transposable elements (TEs) are genomic parasites that impose fitness costs on their hosts by producing deleterious mutations and disrupting gametogenesis. Host genomes avoid these costs by regulating TE activity, particularly in germline cells where new insertions are heritable and TEs are exceptionally active. However, the capacity of different TE-associated fitness costs to select for repression in the host, and the role of selection in the evolution of TE regulation more generally remain controversial. In this study, we use forward, individual-based simulations to examine the evolution of small-RNA-mediated TE regulation, a conserved mechanism for TE repression that is employed by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. To design and parameterize a biologically realistic model, we drew on an extensive survey of empirical studies of the transposition and regulation of P-element DNA transposons in Drosophila melanogaster. We observed that even under conservative assumptions, where small-RNA-mediated regulation reduces transposition only, repression evolves rapidly and adaptively after the genome is invaded by a new TE in simulated populations. We further show that the spread of repressor alleles through simulated populations is greatly enhanced by two additional TE-imposed fitness costs: dysgenic sterility and ectopic recombination. Finally, we demonstrate that the adaptive mutation rate to repression is a critical parameter that influences both the evolutionary trajectory of host repression and the associated proliferation of TEs after invasion in simulated populations. Our findings suggest that adaptive evolution of TE regulation may be stronger and more prevalent than previously appreciated, and provide a framework for interpreting empirical data.

Targeted identification of TE insertions in a Drosophila genome through hemi-specific PCR

BACKGROUND

Transposable elements (TEs) are major components of eukaryotic genomes and drivers of genome evolution, producing intraspecific polymorphism and interspecific differences through mobilization and non-homologous recombination. TE insertion sites are often highly variable within species, creating a need for targeted genome re-sequencing (TGS) methods to identify TE insertion sites.

METHODS

We present a hemi-specific PCR approach for TGS of P-elements in Drosophila genomes on the Illumina platform. We also present a computational framework for identifying new insertions from TGS reads. Finally, we describe a new method for estimating the frequency of TE insertions from WGS data, which is based precise insertion sites provided by TGS annotations.

RESULTS

By comparing our results to TE annotations based on whole genome re-sequencing (WGS) data for the same Drosophilamelanogaster strain, we demonstrate that TGS is powerful for identifying true insertions, even in repeat-rich heterochromatic regions. We also demonstrate that TGS offers enhanced annotation of precise insertion sites, which facilitates estimation of TE insertion frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

TGS by hemi-specific PCR is a powerful approach for identifying TE insertions of particular TE families in species with a high-quality reference genome, at greatly reduced cost as compared to WGS. It may therefore be ideal for population genomic studies of particular TE families. Additionally, TGS and WGS can be used as complementary approaches, with TGS annotations identifying more annotated insertions with greater precision for a target TE family, and WGS data allowing for estimates of TE insertion frequencies, and a broader picture of the location of non-target TEs across the genome.

Reexamining the P-Element Invasion of Drosophila melanogaster Through the Lens of piRNA Silencing

Transposable elements (TEs) are both important drivers of genome evolution and genetic parasites with potentially dramatic consequences for host fitness. The recent explosion of research on regulatory RNAs reveals that small RNA-mediated silencing is a conserved genetic mechanism through which hosts repress TE activity. The invasion of the Drosophila melanogaster genome by P elements, which happened on a historical timescale, represents an incomparable opportunity to understand how small RNA-mediated silencing of TEs evolves. Repression of P-element transposition emerged almost concurrently with its invasion. Recent studies suggest that this repression is implemented in part, and perhaps predominantly, by the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway, a small RNA-mediated silencing pathway that regulates TE activity in many metazoan germlines. In this review, I consider the P-element invasion from both a molecular and evolutionary genetic perspective, reconciling classic studies of P-element regulation with the new mechanistic framework provided by the piRNA pathway. I further explore the utility of the P-element invasion as an exemplar of the evolution of piRNA-mediated silencing. In light of the highly-conserved role for piRNAs in regulating TEs, discoveries from this system have taxonomically broad implications for the evolution of repression.

Cytotype Regulation Facilitates Repression of Hybrid Dysgenesis by Naturally Occurring KP Elements in Drosophila melanogaster

P elements inserted in the Telomere Associated Sequences (TAS) at the left end of the X chromosome are determiners of cytotype regulation of the entire P family of transposons. This regulation is mediated by Piwi-interacting (pi) RNAs derived from the telomeric P elements (TPs). Because these piRNAs are transmitted maternally, cytotype regulation is manifested as a maternal effect of the TPs. When a TP is combined with a transgenic P element inserted at another locus, this maternal effect is strengthened. However, when certain TPs are combined with transgenes that contain the small P element known as KP, stronger regulation arises from a zygotic effect of the KP element. This zygotic effect is observed with transgenic KP elements that are structurally intact, as well as with KP elements that are fused to an ancillary promoter from the hsp70 gene. Zygotic regulation by a KP element occurs only when a TP was present in the maternal germ line, and it is more pronounced when the TP was also present in the grand-maternal germ line. However, this regulation does not require zygotic expression of the TP These observations can be explained if maternally transmitted piRNAs from TPs enable a polypeptide encoded by KP elements to repress P element transposition in zygotes that contain a KP element. In nature, repression by the KP polypeptide may therefore be facilitated by cytotype-mediating piRNAs.

Paramutation phenomena in non-vertebrate animals

Paramutation was initially described in maize and was defined as an epigenetic interaction between two alleles of a locus, through which one allele induces a heritable modification of the other allele without modifying the DNA sequence [1,2]. Thus it implies that the paramutated allele conserves its new properties on the long term over generations even in the absence of the paramutagenic allele and that it turns paramutagenic itself, without undergoing any changes in the DNA sequence. Some epigenetic interactions have been described in two non-vertebrate animal models, which appear to exhibit similar properties. Both systems are linked to trans-generational transmission of non-coding small RNAs. In Drosophila melanogaster, paramutation is correlated with transmission of PIWI-Interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs that repress mobile DNA in the germline. A tandem repeated transgenic locus producing abundant ovarian piRNAs can activate piRNA production and associated homology-dependent silencing at a locus that was previously stably devoid of such capacities. The newly converted locus is then perfectly stable in absence of the inducer locus (>100 generations) and becomes fully paramutagenic. In Caenorhabditis elegans, paramutation is correlated with transmission of siRNAs, which are produced by transgenes targeted by piRNAs in the germline. Indeed, a transgenic locus, targeted by the piRNA machinery, produces siRNAs that can induce silencing of homologous transgenes, which can be further transmitted in a repressed state over generations despite the absence of the inducer transgenic locus. As in fly, the paramutated locus can become fully paramutagenic, and paramutation can be mediated by cytoplasmic inheritance without transmission of the paramutagenic locus itself. Nevertheless, in contrast to flies where the induction is only maternally inherited, both parents can transmit it in worms. In addition, a reciprocal phenomenon - (from off toward on) - appears to be also possible in worms as some activated transgenes can reactivate silent transgenes in the germline, and this modification can also be transmitted to next generations, even so it appears to be only partially stable. Thus, in a given system, opposite paramutation-like phenomena could exist, mediated by antagonist active pathways. As in plants, paramutation in flies and worms correlates with chromatin structure modification of the paramutated locus. In flies, inheritance of small RNAs from one generation to the next transmits a memory mainly targeting loci for repression whereas in worms, small RNAs can target loci either for repression or expression. Nevertheless, in the two species, paramutation can play an important role in the epigenome establishment.

P Transposable Elements in Drosophila and other Eukaryotic Organisms

P transposable elements were discovered in Drosophila as the causative agents of a syndrome of genetic traits called hybrid dysgenesis. Hybrid dysgenesis exhibits a unique pattern of maternal inheritance linked to the germline-specific small RNA piwi-interacting (piRNA) pathway. The use of P transposable elements as vectors for gene transfer and as genetic tools revolutionized the field of Drosophila molecular genetics. P element transposons have served as a useful model to investigate mechanisms of cut-and-paste transposition in eukaryotes. Biochemical studies have revealed new and unexpected insights into how eukaryotic DNA-based transposons are mobilized. For example, the P element transposase makes unusual 17nt-3' extended double-strand DNA breaks at the transposon termini and uses guanosine triphosphate (GTP) as a cofactor to promote synapsis of the two transposon ends early in the transposition pathway. The N-terminal DNA binding domain of the P element transposase, called a THAP domain, contains a C2CH zinc-coordinating motif and is the founding member of a large family of animal-specific site-specific DNA binding proteins. Over the past decade genome sequencing efforts have revealed the presence of P element-like transposable elements or P element transposase-like genes (called THAP9) in many eukaryotic genomes, including vertebrates, such as primates including humans, zebrafish and Xenopus, as well as the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, the sea squirt Ciona, sea urchin and hydra. Surprisingly, the human and zebrafish P element transposase-related THAP9 genes promote transposition of the Drosophila P element transposon DNA in human and Drosophila cells, indicating that the THAP9 genes encode active P element "transposase" proteins.

piRNA-mediated transposon regulation and the germ-line mutation rate in Drosophila melanogaster males

Transposons, especially retrotransposons, are abundant in the genome of Drosophila melanogaster. These mobile elements are regulated by small RNAs that interact with the Piwi family of proteins-the piwi-interacting or piRNAs. The Piwi proteins are encoded by the genes argonaute3 (ago3), aubergine (aub), and piwi. Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1), a chromatin-organizing protein encoded by the Suppressor of variegation 205 [Su(var)205] gene, also plays a role in this regulation. To assess the mutational impact of weakening the system for transposon regulation, we measured the frequency of recessive X-linked lethal mutations occurring in the germ lines of males from stocks that were heterozygous for mutant alleles of the ago3, aub, piwi, or Su(var)205 genes. These mutant alleles are expected to deplete the wild-type proteins encoded by these genes by as much as 50%. The mutant alleles of piwi and Su(var)205 significantly increased the X-linked lethal mutation frequency, whereas the mutant alleles of ago3 did not. An increased mutation frequency was also observed in males from one of two mutant aub stocks, but this increase may not have been due to the aub mutant. The increased mutation frequency caused by depleting Piwi or HP1suggests that chromatin-organizing proteins play important roles in minimizing the germ-line mutation rate, possibly by stabilizing the structure of the heterochromatin in which many transposons are situated.

Genetic interactions between P elements involved in piRNA-mediated repression of hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Previous studies have shown that telomeric P elements inserted at the left end of the X chromosome are anchors of the P cytotype, the maternally inherited state that regulates P-element activity in the germ line of Drosophila melanogaster. This regulation is mediated by small RNAs that associate with the Piwi family of proteins (piRNAs). We extend the analysis of cytotype regulation by studying new combinations of telomeric and nontelomeric P elements (TPs and non-TPs). TPs interact with each other to enhance cytotype regulation. This synergism involves a strictly maternal effect, called presetting, which is apparently mediated by piRNAs transmitted through the egg. Presetting by a maternal TP can elicit regulation by an inactive paternally inherited TP, possibly by stimulating its production of primary piRNAs. When one TP has come from a stock heterozygous for a mutation in the aubergine, piwi, or Suppressor of variegation 205 genes, the synergism between two TPs is impaired. TPs also interact with non-TPs to enhance cytotype regulation, even though the non-TPs lack regulatory ability on their own. Non-TPs are not susceptible to presetting by a TP, nor is a TP susceptible to presetting by a non-TP. The synergism between TPs and non-TPs is stronger when the TP was inherited maternally. This synergism may be due to the accumulation of secondary piRNAs created by ping-pong cycling between primary piRNAs from the TPs and mRNAs from the non-TPs. Maternal transmission of P-element piRNAs plays an important role in the maintenance of strong cytotype regulation over generations.

A genome-wide survey of genetic instability by transposition in Drosophila hybrids

Hybridization between species is a genomic instability factor involved in increasing mutation rate and new chromosomal rearrangements. Evidence of a relationship between interspecific hybridization and transposable element mobilization has been reported in different organisms, but most studies are usually performed with particular TEs and do not discuss the real effect of hybridization on the whole genome. We have therefore studied whole genome instability of Drosophila interspecific hybrids, looking for the presence of new AFLP markers in hybrids. A high percentage (27–90%) of the instability markers detected corresponds to TEs belonging to classes I and II. Moreover, three transposable elements (Osvaldo, Helena and Galileo) representative of different families, showed an overall increase of transposition rate in hybrids compared to parental species. This research confirms the hypothesis that hybridization induces genomic instability by transposition bursts and suggests that genomic stress by transposition could contribute to a relaxation of mechanisms controlling TEs in the Drosophila genome.

Maternal enhancement of cytotype regulation in Drosophila melanogaster by genetic interactions between telomeric P elements and non-telomeric transgenic P elements

The X-linked telomeric P elements (TPs) TP5 and TP6 regulate the activity of the entire P element family because they are inserted in a major locus for the production of Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). The potential for this cytotype regulation is significantly strengthened when either TP5 or TP6 is combined with a non-telomeric X-linked or autosomal transgene that contains a P element. By themselves, none of the transgenic P elements have any regulatory ability. Synergism between the telomeric and transgenic P elements is much greater when the TP is derived from a female. Once an enhanced regulatory state is established in a female, it is transmitted to her offspring independently of either the telomeric or transgenic P elements - that is, it works through a strictly maternal effect. Synergistic regulation collapses when either the telomeric or the transgenic P element is removed from the maternal genotype, and it is significantly impaired when the TPs come from stocks heterozygous for mutations in the genes aubergine, piwi or Su(var)205. The synergism between telomeric and transgenic P elements is consistent with a model in which P piRNAs are amplified by alternating, or ping-pong, targeting of primary piRNAs to sense and antisense P transcripts, with the sense transcripts being derived from the transgenic P element and the antisense transcripts being derived from the TP.

A test for enhancement of cytotype regulation in Drosophila melanogaster by the transposase-encoding P element ∆2-3

Transposable P elements are regulated in the germ line by piRNAs, which are small RNAs that associate with the Piwi class of proteins. This regulation, called the P cytotype, is enhanced by genetic interactions between P elements that are primary sources of these RNAs and other P elements. The enhanced regulation is thought to reflect amplification of the primary piRNAs by cleavage of mRNAs derived from the other P elements through a mechanism called the ping-pong cycle. We tested the transposase-encoding P element known as ∆2-3 for its ability to enhance cytotype regulation anchored in P elements inserted at the telomere of the left arm of the X chromosome (TP elements). The ∆2-3 P element lacks the intron between exons 2 and 3 in the structurally complete P element (CP). Unlike the CP element, it does not markedly enhance cytotype regulation anchored in TP elements, nor does it transmit transposase activity through the egg cytoplasm. However, mRNAs from both the CP and ∆2-3 elements are maternally deposited in embryos. These observations suggest that maternally transmitted CP mRNA enhances cytotype regulation by participating in the ping-pong cycle and that it encodes the P transposase in the embryonic germ line, whereas maternally transmitted ∆2-3 mRNA does not, possibly because it is not efficiently directed into the primordial embryonic germ line. Strong transposon regulation may, therefore, require ping-pong cycling with maternally inherited mRNAs in the embryo.

Paramutation in Drosophila linked to emergence of a piRNA-producing locus

A paramutation is an epigenetic interaction between two alleles of a locus, through which one allele induces a heritable modification in the other allele without modifying the DNA sequence. The paramutated allele itself becomes paramutagenic, that is, capable of epigenetically converting a new paramutable allele. Here we describe a case of paramutation in animals showing long-term transmission over generations. We previously characterized a homology-dependent silencing mechanism referred to as the trans-silencing effect (TSE), involved in P-transposable-element repression in the germ line. We now show that clusters of P-element-derived transgenes that induce strong TSE can convert other homologous transgene clusters incapable of TSE into strong silencers, which transmit the acquired silencing capacity through 50 generations. The paramutation occurs without any need for chromosome pairing between the paramutagenic and the paramutated loci, and is mediated by maternal inheritance of cytoplasm carrying Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) homologous to the transgenes. The repression capacity of the paramutated locus is abolished by a loss-of-function mutation of the aubergine gene involved in piRNA biogenesis, but not by a loss-of-function mutation of the Dicer-2 gene involved in siRNA production. The paramutated cluster, previously producing barely detectable levels of piRNAs, is converted into a stable, strong piRNA-producing locus by the paramutation and becomes fully paramutagenic itself. Our work provides a genetic model for the emergence of piRNA loci, as well as for RNA-mediated trans-generational repression of transposable elements.

An intact RNA interference pathway is required for expression of the mutant wing phenotype of vg(21-3), a P-element-induced allele of the vestigial gene in Drosophila

We have determined that two P elements, P[21-3] and P[21r36], residing in the 5'-UTR of the vestigial wing gene, encode functional repressors in eye tissue. However, neither element fits a previous categorization of repressor-making elements as Type I or II. Both elements encode polypeptides that are shorter than the canonical elements they most closely resemble. DNA sequencing reveals that P[21r36] encodes an intact THAP domain that is missing in the P[21] element, which does not encode a functional repressor. Recovery of P[21-3] at sites other than vestigial (where it causes the wing mutant, vg(21-3)) reveals that the element can make repressor in wing tissue of sufficient activity to repress the mutant phenotype of vg(21-3). Why the P[21-3] element fails to produce repressor when located at vestigial may be explained by our observation that three different mutants in the RNA interference pathway cause a partial reversion of vg(21-3). We speculate that the vg and P-initiated transcripts that arise at the vg locus in the vg(21-3) mutant trigger an RNA interference response that results in the mutual degradation of both transcripts.

Homology-dependent silencing by an exogenous sequence in the Drosophila germline

The study of P transposable element repression in Drosophila melanogaster led to the discovery of the trans-silencing effect (TSE), a homology-dependent repression mechanism by which a P-transgene inserted in subtelomeric heterochromatin (Telomeric Associated Sequences) represses in trans, in the female germline, a homologous P-lacZ transgene inserted in euchromatin. TSE shows variegation in ovaries and displays a maternal effect as well as epigenetic transmission through meiosis. In addition, TSE is highly sensitive to mutations affecting heterochromatin components (including HP1) and the Piwi-interacting RNA silencing pathway (piRNA), a homology-dependent silencing mechanism that functions in the germline. TSE appears thus to involve the piRNA-based silencing proposed to play a major role in P repression. Under this hypothesis, TSE may also be established when homology between the telomeric and target loci involves sequences other than P elements, including sequences exogenous to the D. melanogaster genome. We have tested whether TSE can be induced via lacZ sequence homology. We generated a piggyBac-otu-lacZ transgene in which lacZ is under the control of the germline ovarian tumor promoter, resulting in strong expression in nurse cells and the oocyte. We show that all piggyBac-otu-lacZ transgene insertions are strongly repressed by maternally inherited telomeric P-lacZ transgenes. This repression shows variegation between egg chambers when it is incomplete and presents a maternal effect, two of the signatures of TSE. Finally, this repression is sensitive to mutations affecting aubergine, a key player of the piRNA pathway. These data show that TSE can occur when silencer and target loci share solely a sequence exogenous to the D. melanogaster genome. This functionally supports the hypothesis that TSE represents a general repression mechanism which can be co-opted by new transposable elements to regulate their activity after a transfer to the D. melanogaster genome.

A role for transcription from a piRNA cluster in de novo piRNA production

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are at the heart of the nucleic acid-based adaptive immune system against transposons in animal gonads. To date, how the piRNA pathway senses an element as a substrate and how de novo piRNA production is initiated remain elusive. Here, by utilizing a GFP transgene, we screened and obtained clonal silkworm BmN4 cell lines producing massively amplified GFP-derived piRNAs capable of silencing GFP in trans. In multiple independent cell lines where GFP expression was silenced by the piRNA pathway, we detected a common transcript from an endogenous piRNA cluster, in which a part of the cluster is uniquely fused with an antisense GFP sequence. Bioinformatic analyses suggest that the fusion transcript is a source of GFP primary piRNAs. Our data implicate a role for transcription from a piRNA cluster in initiating de novo piRNA production against a new insertion.

Maternal impairment of transposon regulation in Drosophila melanogaster by mutations in the genes aubergine, piwi and Suppressor of variegation 205

TP5, a P element inserted in the telomere-associated sequences of the X chromosome, represses the excision of other P elements in the germ line through a combination of maternal and zygotic effects. The maternal component of this repression is impaired by heterozygous mutations in the aubergine and Suppressor of variegation 205 genes; one mutation in the piwi gene also appears to impair repression. In the female germ line, the level of TP5 mRNA is increased by these impairing mutations. The impairing aubergine and piwi mutations also increase the level of germ-line mRNA from CP, a transgene that encodes the P-element transposase; however, the Suppressor of variegation 205 mutation does not. These findings are discussed in terms of a model of P-element regulation that involves post-transcriptional and chromatin re-organizing events mediated by maternally transmitted small RNAs derived from the telomeric P element.

Evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements in a small RNA world

Transposable elements (TEs) are selfish elements that cause harmful mutations, contribute to the structure of regulatory networks and shape the architecture of genomes. Natural selection against their harmful effects has long been considered the dominant force limiting their spread. It is now clear that a genome defense system of RNA-mediated silencing also plays a crucial role in limiting TE proliferation. A full understanding of TE evolutionary dynamics must consider how these forces jointly determine their proliferation within genomes. Here I consider these forces from two perspectives - dynamics within populations and evolutionary games within the germline. The analysis of TE dynamics from these two perspectives promises to provide new insight into their role in evolution.

The epigenetic trans-silencing effect in Drosophila involves maternally-transmitted small RNAs whose production depends on the piRNA pathway and HP1

Background

The study of P transposable element repression in Drosophila melanogaster led to the discovery of the Trans-Silencing Effect (TSE), a homology-dependent repression mechanism by which a P-transgene inserted in subtelomeric heterochromatin (Telomeric Associated Sequences, “TAS”) has the capacity to repress in trans, in the female germline, a homologous P-lacZ transgene located in euchromatin. Phenotypic and genetic analysis have shown that TSE exhibits variegation in ovaries, displays a maternal effect as well as epigenetic transmission through meiosis and involves heterochromatin (including HP1) and RNA silencing.

Principal Findings

Here, we show that mutations in squash and zucchini, which are involved in the piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) silencing pathway, strongly affect TSE. In addition, we carried out a molecular analysis of TSE and show that silencing is correlated to the accumulation of lacZ small RNAs in ovaries. Finally, we show that the production of these small RNAs is sensitive to mutations affecting squash and zucchini, as well as to the dose of HP1.

Conclusions and Significance

Thus, our results indicate that the TSE represents a bona fide piRNA-based repression. In addition, the sensitivity of TSE to HP1 dose suggests that in Drosophila, as previously shown in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a RNA silencing pathway can depend on heterochromatin components.

Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons: mechanisms, recent developments, and unanswered questions

Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are present in most eukaryotic genomes. In some species, such as humans, these elements are the most abundant genome sequence and continue to replicate to this day, creating a source of endogenous mutations and potential genotoxic stress. This review will provide a general outline of the replicative cycle of non-LTR retrotransposons. Recent findings regarding the host regulation of non-LTR retrotransposons will be summarized. Finally, future directions of interest will be discussed.

Cytotype regulation by telomeric P elements in Drosophila melanogaster: variation in regulatory strength and maternal effects

Strains carrying the X-linked telomeric P elements TP5 or TP6 varied in their ability to repress hybrid dysgenesis. The rank ordering of these strains was consistent across different genetic assays and was not related to the type of telomeric P element (TP5 or TP6) present. Strong repression of dysgenesis was associated with weak expression of mRNA from the telomeric P element and also with a reduced amount of mRNA from a transposase-producing P element contained within a transgene inserted on an autosome. A strictly maternal component of repression, transmitted independently of the telomeric P element, was detected in the daughters but not the sons of females from the strongest repressing strains. However, this effect was seen only when dysgenesis was induced by crossing these females to males from a P strain, not when it was induced by crossing them to males homozygous for a single transposase-producing P element contained within a transgene. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the P cytotype, the condition that regulates P elements, involves an RNA interference mechanism mediated by piRNAs produced by telomeric P elements such as TP5 and TP6 and amplified by RNAs produced by other P elements.

Cytotype regulation inDrosophila melanogaster: synergism between telomeric and non-telomericPelements

The X-linked telomericPelementsTP5andTP6interact synergistically with non-telomericPelements to repress hybrid dysgenesis. In this repression, the telomericPelements exert maternal effects, which, however, are not sufficient to establish synergism with the non-telomericPelements. Once synergism is established, the capacity to repress dysgenesis in the offspring of a cross persists for at least two generations after removing the telomericPelement from the genotype. At the molecular level, synergism between telomeric and non-telomericPelements is correlated with effective elimination ofP-element mRNA in the germ line. Maternally transmitted mutations in the genesaubergine,piwiandSuppressor of variegation 205[Su(var)205] block the establishment of synergism between telomeric and non-telomericPelements, and paternally transmitted mutations inpiwiandSu(var)205disrupt synergism that has already been established. These findings are discussed in terms of a model of cytotype regulation ofPelements based on Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that are amplified by cycling between sense and antisense species.

Telomeric trans-silencing in Drosophila melanogaster: tissue specificity, development and functional interactions between non-homologous telomeres

Background

The study of P element repression in Drosophila melanogaster led to the discovery of the telomeric Trans-Silencing Effect (TSE), a homology-dependent repression mechanism by which a P-transgene inserted in subtelomeric heterochromatin (Telomeric Associated Sequences, “TAS”) has the capacity to repress in trans, in the female germline, a homologous P-lacZ transgene located in euchromatin. TSE can show variegation in ovaries, displays a maternal effect as well as an epigenetic transmission through meiosis and involves heterochromatin and RNA silencing pathways.

Principal Findings

Here, we analyze phenotypic and genetic properties of TSE. We report that TSE does not occur in the soma at the adult stage, but appears restricted to the female germline. It is detectable during development at the third instar larvae where it presents the same tissue specificity and maternal effect as in adults. Transgenes located in TAS at the telomeres of the main chromosomes can be silencers which in each case show the maternal effect. Silencers located at non-homologous telomeres functionally interact since they stimulate each other via the maternally-transmitted component. All germinally-expressed euchromatic transgenes tested, located on all major chromosomes, were found to be repressed by a telomeric silencer: thus we detected no TSE escaper. The presence of the euchromatic target transgene is not necessary to establish the maternal inheritance of TSE, responsible for its epigenetic behavior. A single telomeric silencer locus can simultaneously repress two P-lacZ targets located on different chromosomal arms.

Conclusions and Significance

Therefore TSE appears to be a widespread phenomenon which can involve different telomeres and work across the genome. It can explain the P cytotype establishment by telomeric P elements in natural Drosophila populations.

Cytotype regulation of P transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster: repressor polypeptides or piRNAs?

The telomeric P elements TP5 and TP6 are associated with the P cytotype, a maternally inherited condition that represses P-element-induced hybrid dysgenesis in the Drosophila germ line. To see if cytotype repression by TP5 and TP6 might be mediated by the polypeptides they could encode, hobo transgenes carrying these elements were tested for expression of mRNA in the female germ line and for repression of hybrid dysgenesis. The TP5 and TP6 transgenes expressed more germ-line mRNA than the native telomeric P elements, but they were decidedly inferior to the native elements in their ability to repress hybrid dysgenesis. These paradoxical results are inconsistent with the repressor polypeptide model of cytotype. An alternative model based on the destruction of P transposase mRNA by Piwi-interacting (pi) RNAs was supported by finding reduced P mRNA levels in flies that carried the native telomeric P elements, which are inserted in a known major piRNA locus.

[The role of piRNAs in mouse spermatogenesis.]

The Argonaute proteins, which are the direct partners of the small RNAs involved in RNA interference mechanisms, can be divided into two subfamilies, the Argonautes and the Piwis. In animals, the Argonaute subfamily binds 21-22 nucleotide small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), which direct cleavage and translational inhibition of their target RNAs respectively. The partners of the Piwi proteins are 24-30-nucleotide small RNAs called Piwi-interacting RNAs or piRNAs. In Drosophila, Piwi proteins and piRNAs protect the genome of the germline against selfish elements. Recent studies suggest that this function is conserved in mammals.

Conserved themes in small-RNA-mediated transposon control

Eukaryotes are engaged in a constant struggle against transposable elements, which have invaded and profoundly shaped their genomes. Over the past decade, a growing body of evidence has pointed to a role for small RNAs in transposon defense. Although the strategies used in different organisms vary in their details, they have strikingly similar general properties. Basically, all mechanisms consist of three components. First, transposon detection prompts the production of small RNAs, which are Piwi-interacting RNAs in some organisms and small interfering RNAs in others. Second, the population of small RNAs targeting active transposons is amplified through an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-based or Slicer-based mechanism. Third, small RNAs are incorporated into Argonaute- or Piwi-containing effector complexes, which target transposon transcripts for post-transcriptional silencing and/or target transposon DNA for repressive chromatin modification and DNA methylation. These properties produce robust systems that limit the catastrophic consequences of transposon mobilization, which can result in the accumulation of deleterious mutations, changes in gene expression patterns, and conditions such as gonadal hypotrophy and sterility.

Genetics and biochemistry of RNAi in Drosophila

RNA interference (RNAi) is the technique employing double-stranded RNA to target the destruction of homologous messenger RNAs. It has gained wide usage in genetics. While having the potential for many practical applications, it is a reflection of a much broader spectrum of small RNA-mediated processes in the cell. The RNAi machinery was originally perceived as a defense mechanism against viruses and transposons. While this is certainly true, small RNAs have now been implicated in many other aspects of cell biology. Here we review the current knowledge of the biochemistry of RNAi in Drosophila and the involvement of small RNAs in RNAi, transposon silencing, virus defense, transgene silencing, pairing-sensitive silencing, telomere function, chromatin insulator activity, nucleolar stability, and heterochromatin formation. The discovery of the role of RNA molecules in the degradation of mRNA transcripts leading to decreased gene expression resulted in a paradigm shift in the field of molecular biology. Transgene silencing was first discovered in plant cells (Matzke et al. 1989; van der Krol et al. 1990; Napoli et al. 1990) and can occur on both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, but both involve short RNA moieties in their mechanism. RNA interference (RNAi) is a type of gene silencing mechanism in which a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule directs the specific degradation of the corresponding mRNA (target RNA). The technique of RNAi was first discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans in 1994 (Guo and Kemphues 1994). Later the active component was found to be a dsRNA (Fire et al. 1998). In subsequent years, it has been found to occur in diverse eukaryotes

Cytotype regulation by telomeric P elements in Drosophila melanogaster: interactions with P elements from M' strains

P strains of Drosophila are distinguished from M strains by having P elements in their genomes and also by having the P cytotype, a maternally inherited condition that strongly represses P-element-induced hybrid dysgenesis. The P cytotype is associated with P elements inserted near the left telomere of the X chromosome. Repression by the telomeric P elements TP5 and TP6 is significantly enhanced when these elements are crossed into M' strains, which, like P strains, carry P elements, but have little or no ability to repress dysgenesis. The telomeric and M' P elements must coexist in females for this enhanced repression ability to develop. However, once established, it is transmitted maternally to the immediate offspring independently of the telomeric P elements themselves. Females that carry a telomeric P element but that do not carry M' P elements may also transmit an ability to repress dysgenesis to their offspring independently of the telomeric P element. Cytotype regulation therefore involves a maternally transmissible product of telomeric P elements that can interact synergistically with products from paternally inherited M' P elements. This synergism between TP and M' P elements also appears to persist for at least one generation after the TP has been removed from the genotype.

Cytotype regulation by telomeric P elements in Drosophila melanogaster: evidence for involvement of an RNA interference gene

P elements inserted at the left telomere of the X chromosome evoke the P cytotype, a maternally inherited condition that regulates the P-element family in the Drosophila germline. This regulation is completely disrupted in stocks heterozygous for mutations in aubergine, a gene whose protein product is involved in RNA interference. However, cytotype is not disrupted in stocks heterozygous for mutations in two other RNAi genes, piwi and homeless (spindle-E), or in a stock heterozygous for a mutation in the chromatin protein gene Enhancer of zeste. aubergine mutations exert their effects in the female germline, where the P cytotype is normally established and through which it is maintained. These effects are transmitted maternally to offspring of both sexes independently of the mutations themselves. Lines derived from mutant aubergine stocks reestablish the P cytotype quickly, unlike lines derived from stocks heterozygous for a mutation in Suppressor of variegation 205, the gene that encodes the telomere-capping protein HP1. Cytotype regulation by telomeric P elements may be tied to a system that uses RNAi to regulate the activities of telomeric retrotransposons in Drosophila.

Telomeric trans-silencing: an epigenetic repression combining RNA silencing and heterochromatin formation

The study of P-element repression in Drosophila melanogaster led to the discovery of the telomeric Trans-Silencing Effect (TSE), a repression mechanism by which a transposon or a transgene inserted in subtelomeric heterochromatin (Telomeric Associated Sequence or TAS) has the capacity to repress in trans in the female germline, a homologous transposon, or transgene located in euchromatin. TSE shows variegation among egg chambers in ovaries when silencing is incomplete. Here, we report that TSE displays an epigenetic transmission through meiosis, which involves an extrachromosomal maternally transmitted factor. We show that this silencing is highly sensitive to mutations affecting both heterochromatin formation (Su(var)205 encoding Heterochromatin Protein 1 and Su(var)3–7) and the repeat-associated small interfering RNA (or rasiRNA) silencing pathway (aubergine, homeless, armitage, and piwi). In contrast, TSE is not sensitive to mutations affecting r2d2, which is involved in the small interfering RNA (or siRNA) silencing pathway, nor is it sensitive to a mutation in loquacious, which is involved in the micro RNA (or miRNA) silencing pathway. These results, taken together with the recent discovery of TAS homologous small RNAs associated to PIWI proteins, support the proposition that TSE involves a repeat-associated small interfering RNA pathway linked to heterochromatin formation, which was co-opted by the P element to establish repression of its own transposition after its recent invasion of the D. melanogaster genome. Therefore, the study of TSE provides insight into the genetic properties of a germline-specific small RNA silencing pathway.

The genome of the fruitfly was invaded in the last century by a mobile DNA element called the P element. After a transient period of genetic disorders due to P mobility, the P element established a repressive state for its transposition. We have shown that a major component of this repression comes from P copies inserted close to telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes. One or two P copies inserted in subtelomeric heterochromatin (the DNA region highly compacted by protein complexes) can stabilize around 80 P copies. This finding allowed the discovery of a more general phenomenon called the “Trans-silencing effect” in which a transgene inserted in this subtelomeric heterochromatin represses, in the female germline, a homologous transgene, irrespective of the genetic location of the latter. We show that Trans-silencing requires not only the chromosomal copy of the telomeric silencer, but also a maternally transmitted factor whose influence can persist over generations. We have found that this epigenetic silencing is sensitive to mutations in genes involved in heterochromatin formation and in a recently discovered silencing pathway based on small RNAs. Trans-silencing thus provides a tool for mechanistic analysis of gene repression on the basis of chromatin changes combined with small RNA pathways in the germline.

Transcription of the singed-weak mutation of Drosophila melanogaster: elimination of P-element sequences by RNA splicing and repression of singed transcription in a P genetic background

The dysgenesis-induced, hypermutable singed-weak allele has two incomplete P-elements inserted in a head-to-head configuration in the 5' non-coding exon of the singed bristle locus of Drosophila melanogaster. In the presence of P transposase, each element excises to produce single element derivatives, singed-extreme and singed-(+), that have either an extreme bristle or wild-type phenotype, respectively. In an M background, pseudo-wild-type transcripts are made that initiate at the singed promoter, read through the insertions, and are spliced to remove the P-element sequences and part of the 5' exon. The abundance of the pseudo-wild-type RNAs in pupae correlates with the bristle phenotype, being highest in singed-(+) and lowest in singed-extreme. Other RNAs are made that retain the insertions, or are truncated with respect to the downstream coding singed exons and have their 3' ends within the insertions. The mutants are female-fertile in an M background but sterile in a P background where little singed RNA can be detected. Transgenes containing either a complete P-element or an incomplete P-element known as KP impair the fertility of females carrying the singed-weak mutation, suggesting that the proteins encoded by these two widely distributed P-elements may be responsible for inhibiting transcription of singed-weak in a P background.

Discrete small RNA-generating loci as master regulators of transposon activity in Drosophila

Drosophila Piwi-family proteins have been implicated in transposon control. Here, we examine piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) associated with each Drosophila Piwi protein and find that Piwi and Aubergine bind RNAs that are predominantly antisense to transposons, whereas Ago3 complexes contain predominantly sense piRNAs. As in mammals, the majority of Drosophila piRNAs are derived from discrete genomic loci. These loci comprise mainly defective transposon sequences, and some have previously been identified as master regulators of transposon activity. Our data suggest that heterochromatic piRNA loci interact with potentially active, euchromatic transposons to form an adaptive system for transposon control. Complementary relationships between sense and antisense piRNA populations suggest an amplification loop wherein each piRNA-directed cleavage event generates the 5' end of a new piRNA. Thus, sense piRNAs, formed following cleavage of transposon mRNAs may enhance production of antisense piRNAs, complementary to active elements, by directing cleavage of transcripts from master control loci.

The protein encoded by the gene proliferation disrupter (prod) is associated with the telomeric retrotransposon array in Drosophila melanogaster

We report in this paper that the PROD protein, encoded by the gene proliferation disrupter (prod), is associated with the telomeric chromatin in Drosophila melanogaster. It binds to a region just upstream of the promoter of the telomere-specific retrotransposon HeT-A, which is located in the long 3'untranslated region of the element near its oligo(A) tail. Reduction of PROD in prod heterozygote flies results in elevated levels of HeT-A RNA in the ovaries, suggesting that PROD functions as a repressor of HeT-A transcriptional activity at the telomeres.

Euchromatic and heterochromatic domains at Drosophila telomeres

Noncoding repetitive sequences make up a large portion of eukaryotic genomes, but their function is not well understood. Large blocks of repetitive DNA-forming heterochromatin around the centromeres are required for this region to function properly, but are difficult to analyze. The smaller regions of heterochromatin at the telomeres provide an opportunity to study their DNA and protein composition. Drosophila telomere length is maintained through the targeted transposition of specific non-long terminal repeat retrotransposons to chromosome ends, where they form long tandem arrays. A subterminal telomere-associated sequence (TAS) lies immediately proximal to the terminal-retrotransposon array. Here, we review the experimental support for the heterochromatic features of Drosophila telomeres, and provide evidence that telomeric regions contain 2 distinct chromatin subdomains: TAS, which exhibits features that resemble beta heterochromatin; and the terminal array of retrotransposons, which appears euchromatic. This organization is significantly different from the telomeric organization of other eukaryotes, where the terminal telomerase-generated repeats are often folded in a t-loop structure and become part of the heterochromatin protein complex.

Evidence for maternally transmitted small interfering RNA in the repression of transposition in Drosophila virilis

Hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila is a syndrome of gonadal atrophy, sterility, and male recombination, and it occurs in the progeny of crosses between males that harbor certain transposable elements (TEs) and females that lack them. Known examples of hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster result from mobilization of individual families of TEs, such as the P element, the I element, or hobo. An example of hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila virilis is unique in that multiple, unrelated families of TEs become mobilized, but a TE designated Penelope appears to play a major role. In all known examples of hybrid dysgenesis, the paternal germ line transmits the TEs in an active state, whereas the female germ line maintains repression of the TEs. The mechanism of maternal maintenance of repression is not known. Recent evidence suggests that the molecular machinery of RNA interference may function as an important host defense against TEs. This protection is mediated by the action of endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) composed of dsRNA molecules of 21-25 nt that can target complementary transcripts for destruction. In this paper, we demonstrate that endogenous siRNA derived from the Penelope element is maternally loaded in embryos through the female germ line in D. virilis. We also present evidence that the maternal inheritance of these endogenous siRNAs may contribute to maternal repression of Penelope.

Impairment of cytotype regulation of P-element activity in Drosophila melanogaster by mutations in the Su(var)205 gene

Cytotype regulation of transposable P elements in the germ line of Drosophila melanogaster is associated with maternal transmission of P elements inserted at the left telomere of the X chromosome. This regulation is impaired in long-term stocks heterozygous for mutations in Suppressor of variegation 205 [Su(var)205], a gene implicated in the control of telomere length. Regulation by TP5, a structurally incomplete P element at the X telomere, is more profoundly impaired than regulation by TP6, a different incomplete P element inserted at the same site in a TAS repeat at the X telomere. Genetic analysis with the TP5 element indicates that its regulatory ability is not impaired in flies whose fathers came directly from a stock heterozygous for a Su(var)205 mutation, even when the flies themselves carry this mutation. However, it is impaired in flies whose grandfathers came from such a stock. Furthermore, this impairment occurs even when the Su(var)205 mutation is not present in the flies themselves or in their mothers. The impaired regulatory ability of TP5 persists for at least several generations after TP5 X chromosomes extracted from a long-term mutant Su(var)205 stock are made homozygous in the absence of the Su(var)205 mutation. Impairment of TP5-mediated regulation is therefore not directly dependent on the Su(var)205 mutation. However, it is characteristic of the six mutant Su(var)205 stocks that were tested and may be related to the elongated telomeres that develop in these stocks. Impairment of regulation by TP5 is also seen in a stock derived from Gaiano, a wild-type strain that has elongated telomeres due to a dominant mutation in the Telomere elongation (Tel) gene. Regulation by TP6 is not impaired in the Gaiano genetic background. The regulatory abilities of the TP5 and TP6 elements are therefore not equally susceptible to the effects of elongated telomeres in the mutant Su(var)205 and Gaiano stocks.

Mutations in Su(var)205 and Su(var)3-7 suppress P-element-dependent silencing in Drosophila melanogaster

In Drosophila melanogaster, the w(+) transgene in P[lacW]ci(Dplac) is uniformly expressed throughout the adult eye. However, when other P elements are present, this w(+) transgene is randomly silenced and this produces a variegated eye phenotype. This P-element-dependent silencing (PDS) is limited to w(+) transgenes inserted in a specific region on chromosome 4. In a screen for genetic modifiers of PDS, we isolated mutations in Su(var)205, Su(var)3-7, and two unidentified genes that suppress this variegated phenotype. Therefore, only a few of the genes encoding heterochromatic modifiers act dose dependently in PDS. In addition, we recovered two spontaneous mutations of P[lacW]ci(Dplac) that variegate in the absence of P elements. These P[lacW]i(Dplac) derivatives have a gypsy element inserted proximally to the P[lacW]ci(Dplac) insert. The same mutations that suppress PDS also suppress w(+) silencing from these P[lacW]ci(Dplac) derivative alleles. This indicates that both cis-acting changes in sequence and trans-acting P elements cause a similar change in chromatin structure that silences w(+) expression in P[lacW]ci(Dplac). Together, these results confirm that PDS occurs at P[lacW]ci(Dplac) because of the chromatin structure at this chromosomal position. Studying w(+) variegation from P[lacW]ci(Dplac) provides a model for the interactions that can enhance heterochromatic silencing at single P-element inserts.

The P cytotype in Drosophila melanogaster: a maternally transmitted regulatory state of the germ line associated with telomeric P elements

The incomplete P elements TP5 and TP6 are inserted in the TAS repeats near the left telomere of the Drosophila melanogaster X chromosome. These telomeric P elements repress P-induced gonadal dysgenesis and germ-line hypermutability in both sexes. However, their capacity to repress hypermutability is lost when they are transmitted patroclinously in a cross. TP5 and TP6 do not repress P-element activity in somatic cells, nor do they alter the somatic or germ-line phenotypes of P-insertion alleles. In the germ line, these elements suppress the phenotype of a P-insertion allele of the singed gene that is evoked by other P elements, presumably because these other elements encode repressor polypeptides. This suppression is more effective when the telomeric P elements are inherited maternally. Regulation by telomeric P elements parallels that of the P cytotype, a state that represses P-element activity in some strains of Drosophila. This state exists only in the germ line and is maternally transmitted along with the P elements themselves. Regulation by known repressor P polypeptides is not restricted to the germ line and does not require maternal transmission of the relevant P elements. Regulation by telomeric P elements appears to be epistatic to regulation by repressor P polypeptides.

Establishment and maintenance of the P cytotype associated with telomeric P elements in Drosophila melanogaster

P elements inserted near the left telomere of the X chromosome are associated with the P cytotype, a maternally transmitted condition that strongly regulates the activity of the P transposon family in some strains of Drosophila. The regulatory abilities of two such elements, TP5 and TP6, are stable in homozygous stocks over many generations. However, these regulatory abilities are attenuated when the telomeric P elements are transmitted through heterozygous females, and they are utterly lost when the elements are transmitted through males. Paternally transmitted telomeric P elements reacquire regulatory ability when they pass through a female germ line. This reacquisition is enhanced if the females in which it occurs came from mothers who carried a telomeric P element. The enhancement has two components: (1). a strictly maternal effect that is transmitted to the females independently of the mother's telomeric P element ("presetting" or the "pre-P cytotype") and (2). a zygotic effect associated with inheritance of the mother's telomeric P element. One telomeric P element can enhance the reacquisition of another's regulatory ability. When X chromosomes that carry telomeric P elements are extracted through males and made homozygous by using a balancer chromosome, most of the resulting stocks develop strong regulatory abilities in a few generations. However, some of the stocks do not attain the regulatory ability of the original population.