Role of the Bombyx mori R2 element N-terminal domain in the target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT) reaction

All-RNA-mediated targeted gene integration in mammalian cells with rationally engineered R2 retrotransposons

All-RNA-mediated targeted gene integration methods, rendering reduced immunogenicity, effective deliverability with non-viral vehicles, and a low risk of random mutagenesis, are urgently needed for next-generation gene addition technologies. Naturally occurring R2 retrotransposons hold promise in this context due to their site-specific integration profile. Here, we systematically analyzed the biodiversity of R2 elements and screened several R2 orthologs capable of full-length gene insertion in mammalian cells. Robust R2 system gene integration efficiency was attained using combined donor RNA and protein engineering. Importantly, the all-RNA-delivered engineered R2 system showed effective integration activity, with efficiency over 60% in mouse embryos. Unbiased high-throughput sequencing demonstrated that the engineered R2 system exhibited high on-target integration specificity (99%). In conclusion, our study provides engineered R2 tools for applications based on hit-and-run targeted DNA integration and insights for further optimization of retrotransposon systems.

Distinct and overlapping RNA determinants for binding and target-primed reverse transcription by Bombyx mori R2 retrotransposon protein

Eukaryotic retrotransposons encode a reverse transcriptase that binds RNA to template DNA synthesis. The ancestral non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons encode a protein that performs target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT), in which the nicked genomic target site initiates complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis directly into the genome. The best understood model system for biochemical studies of TPRT is the R2 protein from the silk moth Bombyx mori. The R2 protein selectively binds the 3' untranslated region of its encoding RNA as template for DNA insertion to its target site in 28S ribosomal DNA. Here, binding and TPRT assays define RNA contributions to RNA-protein interaction, template use for TPRT and the fidelity of template positioning for TPRT cDNA synthesis. We quantify both sequence and structure contributions to protein-RNA interaction. RNA determinants of binding affinity overlap but are not equivalent to RNA features required for TPRT and its fidelity of template positioning for full-length TPRT cDNA synthesis. Additionally, we show that a previously implicated RNA-binding protein surface of R2 protein makes RNA binding affinity dependent on the presence of two stem-loops. Our findings inform evolutionary relationships across R2 retrotransposon RNAs and are a step toward understanding the mechanism and template specificity of non-LTR retrotransposon mobility.

Conserved and divergent DNA recognition specificities and functions of R2 retrotransposon N-terminal domains

R2 non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are among the most extensively distributed mobile genetic elements in multicellular eukaryotes and show promise for applications in transgene supplementation of the human genome. They insert new gene copies into a conserved site in 28S ribosomal DNA with exquisite specificity. R2 clades are defined by the number of zinc fingers (ZFs) at the N terminus of the retrotransposon-encoded protein, postulated to additively confer DNA site specificity. Here, we illuminate general principles of DNA recognition by R2 N-terminal domains across and between clades, with extensive, specific recognition requiring only one or two compact domains. DNA-binding and protection assays demonstrate broadly shared as well as clade-specific DNA interactions. Gene insertion assays in cells identify the N-terminal domains sufficient for target-site insertion and reveal roles in second-strand cleavage or synthesis for clade-specific ZFs. Our results have implications for understanding evolutionary diversification of non-LTR retrotransposon insertion mechanisms and the design of retrotransposon-based gene therapies.

Schlafen-5 inhibits LINE-1 retrotransposition

Long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1) is the only currently known active autonomous transposon in humans, and its retrotransposition may cause deleterious effects on the structure and function of host cell genomes and result in sporadic genetic diseases. Host cells therefore developed defense strategies to restrict LINE-1 mobilization. In this study, we demonstrated that IFN-inducible Schlafen5 (SLFN5) inhibits LINE-1 retrotransposition. Mechanistic studies revealed that SLFN5 interrupts LINE-1 ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) formation, thus diminishing nuclear entry of the LINE-1 RNA template and subsequent LINE-1 cDNA production. The ability of SLFN5 to bind to LINE-1 RNA and the involvement of the helicase domain of SLFN5 in its inhibitory activity suggest a mechanism that SLFN5 binds to LINE-1 RNA followed by dissociation of ORF1p through its helicase activity, resulting in impaired RNP formation. These data highlight a new mechanism of host cells to restrict LINE-1 mobilization.

Structure of the R2 non-LTR retrotransposon initiating target-primed reverse transcription

Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons, or long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), are an abundant class of eukaryotic transposons that insert into genomes by target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). During TPRT, a target DNA sequence is nicked and primes reverse transcription of the retrotransposon RNA. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the Bombyx mori R2 non-LTR retrotransposon initiating TPRT at its ribosomal DNA target. The target DNA sequence is unwound at the insertion site and recognized by an upstream motif. An extension of the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain recognizes the retrotransposon RNA and guides the 3' end into the RT active site to template reverse transcription. We used Cas9 to retarget R2 in vitro to non-native sequences, suggesting future use as a reprogrammable RNA-based gene-insertion tool.

A High Throughput Cell-Based Screen Assay for LINE-1 ORF1p Expression Inhibitors Using the In-Cell Western Technique

Long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE-1) is a dominant autonomous retrotransposon in human genomes which plays a role in affecting the structure and function of somatic genomes, resulting in human disorders including genetic disease and cancer. LINE-1 encoded ORF1p protein which possesses RNA-binding and nucleic acid chaperone activity, and interacts with LINE-1 RNA to form a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP). ORF1p can be detected in many kinds of tumors and its overexpression has been regarded as a hallmark of histologically aggressive cancers. In this study, we developed an In-Cell Western (ICW) assay in T47D cells to screen the compounds which can decrease the expression of ORF1p. Using this assay, we screened 1,947 compounds from the natural products library of Target Mol and Selleckchem, among which three compounds, Hydroxyprogesterone, 2,2':5′,2″-Terthiophene and Ethynyl estradiol displayed potency in diminishing LINE-1 ORF1p expression level. Further mechanistic studies indicated the compounds act by affecting LINE-1 RNA transcription. Notably, we demonstrated that the compounds have an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of several lung and breast cancer cell lines. Taken together, we established a high throughput screening system for ORF1p expression inhibitors and the identified compounds provide some clues to the development of a novel anti-tumor therapeutic strategy by targeting ORF1p.

Diversity and Evolution of DNA Transposons Targeting Multicopy Small RNA Genes from Actinopterygian Fish

Simple Summary

DNA transposons are parasitic DNA segments that can move or duplicate themselves from one site to another in the genome. Dada is a unique group of DNA transposons, which specifically insert themselves into multicopy RNA genes such as transfer RNA (tRNA) genes or small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes to avoid the disruption of single-copy functional genes. However, only a few Dada families have been characterized along with their target sequences. Here, vertebrate genomes were surveyed to characterize new Dada transposons, and over 120 Dada families were characterized from diverse fishes. They were classified into 12 groups with confirmed target specificities. Various tRNA genes, as well as 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were inserted by Dada transposons. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Dada transposons inserted in the same RNA genes are closely related. Phylogenetically related Dada transposons inserted in different RNA genes show the sequence similarity around their insertion sites, indicating Dada proteins recognize DNA nucleotide sequences to find their targets. Understanding how Dada discovers the targets would help develop target-specific insertions of foreign DNA segments.

Abstract

Dada is a unique superfamily of DNA transposons, inserted specifically in multicopy RNA genes. The zebrafish genome harbors five families of Dada transposons, whose targets are U6 and U1 snRNA genes, and tRNA-Ala and tRNA-Leu genes. Dada-U6, which is inserted specifically in U6 snRNA genes, is found in four animal phyla, but other target-specific lineages have been reported only from one or two species. Here, vertebrate genomes and transcriptomes were surveyed to characterize Dada families with new target specificities, and over 120 Dada families were characterized from the genomes of actinopterygian fish. They were classified into 12 groups with confirmed target specificities. Newly characterized Dada families target tRNA genes for Asp, Asn, Arg, Gly, Lys, Ser, Tyr, and Val, and 5S rRNA genes. Targeted positions inside of tRNA genes are concentrated in two regions: around the anticodon and the A box of RNA polymerase III promoter. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the relationships among actinopterygian Dada families, and one domestication event in the common ancestor of carps and minnows belonging to Cyprinoidei, Cypriniformes. Sequences targeted by phylogenetically related Dada families show sequence similarities, indicating that the target specificity of Dada is accomplished through the recognition of primary nucleotide sequences.

The non-LTR retrotransposons of Entamoeba histolytica: genomic organization and biology

Genome sequence analysis of Entamoeba species revealed various classes of transposable elements. While E. histolytica and E. dispar are rich in non-long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons, E. invadens contains predominantly DNA transposons. Non-LTR retrotransposons of E. histolytica constitute three families of long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs), and their short, nonautonomous partners, SINEs. They occupy ~ 11% of the genome. The EhLINE1/EhSINE1 family is the most abundant and best studied. EhLINE1 is 4.8 kb, with two ORFs that encode functions needed for retrotransposition. ORF1 codes for the nucleic acid-binding protein, and ORF2 has domains for reverse transcriptase (RT) and endonuclease (EN). Most copies of EhLINEs lack complete ORFs. ORF1p is expressed constitutively, but ORF2p is not detected. Retrotransposition could be demonstrated upon ectopic over expression of ORF2p, showing that retrotransposition machinery is functional. The newly retrotransposed sequences showed a high degree of recombination. In transcriptomic analysis, RNA-Seq reads were mapped to individual EhLINE1 copies. Although full-length copies were transcribed, no full-length 4.8 kb transcripts were seen. Rather, sense transcripts mapped to ORF1, RT and EN domains. Intriguingly, there was strong antisense transcription almost exclusively from the RT domain. These unique features of EhLINE1 could serve to attenuate retrotransposition in E. histolytica.

R2 and Non-Site-Specific R2-Like Retrotransposons of the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica

The structural and functional organization of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and the full-length R2 non-LTR retrotransposon (integrated into a specific site of 28S ribosomal RNA genes) of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is described. A partial sequence of the R2 retrotransposon of the cockroach Rhyparobia maderae is also analyzed. The analysis of previously published next-generation sequencing data from the B. germanica genome reveals a new type of retrotransposon closely related to R2 retrotransposons but with a random distribution in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that these newly described retrotransposons form a separate clade. It is shown that proteins corresponding to the open reading frames of newly described retrotransposons exhibit unequal structural domains. Within these retrotransposons, a recombination event is described. New mechanism of transposition activity is discussed. The essential structural features of R2 retrotransposons are conserved in cockroaches and are typical of previously described R2 retrotransposons. However, the investigation of the number and frequency of 5′-truncated R2 retrotransposon insertion variants in eight B. germanica populations suggests recent mobile element activity. It is shown that the pattern of 5′-truncated R2 retrotransposon copies can be an informative molecular genetic marker for revealing genetic distances between insect populations.

The linker region of LINEs modulates DNA cleavage and DNA polymerization

Long interspersed elements (LINEs) replicate by target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Insertion involves two half reactions. Each half reaction involves DNA cleavage followed by DNA synthesis. The linker region, located just beyond the reverse transcriptase in the LINE open reading frame, contains a set of predicted helices that may form an α-finger, followed by a gag-like zinc-knuckle. Point mutations of moderately conserved amino-acid residues in the presumptive α-finger severely impair the DNA endonuclease and reverse transcriptase activities of the integration reaction during both half reactions. Mutations in the gag-like zinc-knuckle also impair DNA cleavage and DNA synthesis in some instances. Mutations in core residues that presumably disrupt the protein structure of the presumptive α-finger and the gag-like zinc-knuckle lead to a promiscuous DNA endonuclease and protein-nucleic acid complexes that get stuck in the well during analysis. The linker region appears to function as a protein, DNA, and RNA conformational switching area. The linker is used to properly position nucleic acid substrates into the active sites of the reverse transcriptase and of the DNA endonuclease.

Completion of LINE integration involves an open '4-way' branched DNA intermediate

Long Interspersed Elements (LINEs), also known as non-LTR retrotransposons, encode a multifunctional protein that reverse transcribes its mRNA into DNA at the site of insertion by target primed reverse transcription. The second half of the integration reaction remains very poorly understood. Second-strand DNA cleavage and second-strand DNA synthesis were investigated in vitro using purified components from a site-specific restriction-like endonuclease (RLE) bearing LINE. DNA structure was shown to be a critical component of second-strand DNA cleavage. A hitherto unknown and unexplored integration intermediate, an open ‘4-way’ DNA junction, was recognized by the element protein and cleaved in a Holliday junction resolvase-like reaction. Cleavage of the 4-way junction resulted in a natural primer-template pairing used for second-strand DNA synthesis. A new model for RLE LINE integration is presented.

Spliced integrated retrotransposed element (SpIRE) formation in the human genome

Human Long interspersed element-1 (L1) retrotransposons contain an internal RNA polymerase II promoter within their 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and encode two proteins, (ORF1p and ORF2p) required for their mobilization (i.e., retrotransposition). The evolutionary success of L1 relies on the continuous retrotransposition of full-length L1 mRNAs. Previous studies identified functional splice donor (SD), splice acceptor (SA), and polyadenylation sequences in L1 mRNA and provided evidence that a small number of spliced L1 mRNAs retrotransposed in the human genome. Here, we demonstrate that the retrotransposition of intra-5′UTR or 5′UTR/ORF1 spliced L1 mRNAs leads to the generation of spliced integrated retrotransposed elements (SpIREs). We identified a new intra-5′UTR SpIRE that is ten times more abundant than previously identified SpIREs. Functional analyses demonstrated that both intra-5′UTR and 5′UTR/ORF1 SpIREs lack Cis-acting transcription factor binding sites and exhibit reduced promoter activity. The 5′UTR/ORF1 SpIREs also produce nonfunctional ORF1p variants. Finally, we demonstrate that sequence changes within the L1 5′UTR over evolutionary time, which permitted L1 to evade the repressive effects of a host protein, can lead to the generation of new L1 splicing events, which, upon retrotransposition, generates a new SpIRE subfamily. We conclude that splicing inhibits L1 retrotransposition, SpIREs generally represent evolutionary “dead-ends” in the L1 retrotransposition process, mutations within the L1 5′UTR alter L1 splicing dynamics, and that retrotransposition of the resultant spliced transcripts can generate interindividual genomic variation.

Long interspersed element-1 (L1) sequences comprise about 17% of the human genome reference sequence. The average human genome contains about 100 active L1s that mobilize throughout the genome by a “copy and paste” process termed retrotransposition. Active L1s encode two proteins (ORF1p and ORF2p). ORF1p and ORF2p preferentially bind to their encoding RNA, forming a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP). During retrotransposition, the L1 RNP translocates to the nucleus, where the ORF2p endonuclease makes a single-strand nick in target site DNA that exposes a 3′ hydroxyl group in genomic DNA. The 3′ hydroxyl group then is used as a primer by the ORF2p reverse transcriptase to copy the L1 RNA into cDNA, leading to the integration of an L1 copy at a new genomic location. The evolutionary success of L1 requires the faithful retrotransposition of full-length L1 mRNAs; thus, it was surprising to find that a small number of L1 retrotransposition events are derived from spliced L1 mRNAs. By using genetic, biochemical, and computational approaches, we demonstrate that spliced L1 mRNAs can undergo an initial round of retrotransposition, leading to the generation of spliced integrated retrotransposed elements (SpIREs). SpIREs represent about 2% of previously annotated full-length primate-specific L1s in the human genome reference sequence. However, because splicing leads to intra-L1 deletions that remove critical sequences required for L1 expression, SpIREs generally cannot undergo subsequent rounds of retrotransposition and can be considered “dead on arrival” insertions. Our data further highlight how genetic conflict between L1 and its host has influenced L1 expression, L1 retrotransposition, and L1 splicing dynamics over evolutionary time.

Transposable elements in cancer

Transposable elements give rise to interspersed repeats, sequences that comprise most of our genomes. These mobile DNAs have been historically underappreciated - both because they have been presumed to be unimportant, and because their high copy number and variability pose unique technical challenges. Neither impediment now seems steadfast. Interest in the human mobilome has never been greater, and methods enabling its study are maturing at a fast pace. This Review describes the activity of transposable elements in human cancers, particularly long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1). LINE-1 sequences are self-propagating, protein-coding retrotransposons, and their activity results in somatically acquired insertions in cancer genomes. Altered expression of transposable elements and animation of genomic LINE-1 sequences appear to be hallmarks of cancer, and can be responsible for driving mutations in tumorigenesis.

Transposable elements in cancer

Transposable elements give rise to interspersed repeats, sequences that comprise most of our genomes. These mobile DNAs have been historically underappreciated - both because they have been presumed to be unimportant, and because their high copy number and variability pose unique technical challenges. Neither impediment now seems steadfast. Interest in the human mobilome has never been greater, and methods enabling its study are maturing at a fast pace. This Review describes the activity of transposable elements in human cancers, particularly long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1). LINE-1 sequences are self-propagating, protein-coding retrotransposons, and their activity results in somatically acquired insertions in cancer genomes. Altered expression of transposable elements and animation of genomic LINE-1 sequences appear to be hallmarks of cancer, and can be responsible for driving mutations in tumorigenesis.

Integration site selection by retroviruses and transposable elements in eukaryotes

Transposable elements and retroviruses are found in most genomes, can be pathogenic and are widely used as gene-delivery and functional genomics tools. Exploring whether these genetic elements target specific genomic sites for integration and how this preference is achieved is crucial to our understanding of genome evolution, somatic genome plasticity in cancer and ageing, host-parasite interactions and genome engineering applications. High-throughput profiling of integration sites by next-generation sequencing, combined with large-scale genomic data mining and cellular or biochemical approaches, has revealed that the insertions are usually non-random. The DNA sequence, chromatin and nuclear context, and cellular proteins cooperate in guiding integration in eukaryotic genomes, leading to a remarkable diversity of insertion site distribution and evolutionary strategies.

Involvement of Conserved Amino Acids in the C-Terminal Region of LINE-1 ORF2p in Retrotransposition

Long interspersed element 1 (L1) is the only currently active autonomous retroelement in the human genome. Along with the parasitic SVA and short interspersed element Alu, L1 is the source of DNA damage induced by retrotransposition: a copy-and-paste process that has the potential to disrupt gene function and cause human disease. The retrotransposition process is dependent upon the ORF2 protein (ORF2p). However, it is unknown whether most of the protein is important for retrotransposition. In particular, other than the Cys motif, the C terminus of the protein has not been intensely examined in the context of retrotransposition. Using evolutionary analysis and the Alu retrotransposition assay, we sought to identify additional amino acids in the C terminus important for retrotransposition. Here, we demonstrate that Gal4-tagged and untagged C-terminally truncated ORF2p fragments possess residual potential to drive Alu retrotransposition. Using sight-directed mutagenesis we identify that while the Y1180 amino acid is important for ORF2p- and L1-driven Alu retrotransposition, a mutation at this position improves L1 retrotransposition. Even though the mechanism of the contribution of Y1180 to Alu and L1 mobilization remains unknown, experimental evidence rules out its direct involvement in the ability of the ORF2p reverse transcriptase to generate complementary DNA. Additionally, our data support that ORF2p amino acids 1180 and 1250-1262 may be involved in the reported ORF1p-mediated increase in ORF2p-driven Alu retrotransposition.

The Wide Distribution and Change of Target Specificity of R2 Non-LTR Retrotransposons in Animals

Transposons, or transposable elements, are the major components of genomes in most eukaryotes. Some groups of transposons have developed target specificity that limits the integration sites to a specific nonessential sequence or a genomic region to avoid gene disruption caused by insertion into an essential gene. R2 is one of the most intensively investigated groups of sequence-specific non-LTR retrotransposons and is inserted at a specific site inside of 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. R2 is known to be distributed among at least six animal phyla even though its occurrence is reported to be patchy. Here, in order to obtain a more detailed picture of the distribution of R2, we surveyed R2 using both in silico screening and degenerate PCR, particularly focusing on actinopterygian fish. We found two families of the R2C lineage from vertebrates, although it has previously only been found in platyhelminthes. We also revealed the apparent movement of insertion sites of a lineage of actinopterygian R2, which was likely concurrent with the acquisition of a 28S rRNA-derived sequence in their 3' UTR. Outside of actinopterygian fish, we revealed the maintenance of a single R2 lineage in birds; the co-existence of four lineages of R2 in the leafcutter bee Megachile rotundata; the first examples of R2 in Ctenophora, Mollusca, and Hemichordata; and two families of R2 showing no target specificity. These findings indicate that R2 is relatively stable and universal, while differences in the distribution and maintenance of R2 lineages probably reflect characteristics of some combination of both R2 lineages and host organisms.

Endonuclease domain of non-LTR retrotransposons: loss-of-function mutants and modeling of the R2Bm endonuclease

Non-LTR retrotransposons are an important class of mobile elements that insert into host DNA by target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Non-LTR retrotransposons must bind to their mRNA, recognize and cleave their target DNA, and perform TPRT at the site of DNA cleavage. As DNA binding and cleavage are such central parts of the integration reaction, a better understanding of the endonuclease encoded by non-LTR retrotransposons is needed. This paper explores the R2 endonuclease domain from Bombyx mori using in vitro studies and in silico modeling. Mutations in conserved sequences located across the putative PD-(D/E)XK endonuclease domain reduced DNA cleavage, DNA binding and TPRT. A mutation at the beginning of the first α-helix of the modeled endonuclease obliterated DNA cleavage and greatly reduced DNA binding. It also reduced TPRT when tested on pre-cleaved DNA substrates. The catalytic K was located to a non-canonical position within the second α-helix. A mutation located after the fourth β-strand reduced DNA binding and cleavage. The motifs that showed impaired activity form an extensive basic region. The R2 biochemical and structural data are compared and contrasted with that of two other well characterized PD-(D/E)XK endonucleases, restriction endonucleases and archaeal Holliday junction resolvases.

Identification of L1 ORF2p sequence important to retrotransposition using Bipartile Alu retrotransposition (BAR)

Long Interspersed Element 1 (LINE-1 or L1) is capable of causing genomic instability through the activity of the L1 ORF2 protein (ORF2p). This protein contains endonuclease (EN) and reverse transcriptase (RT) domains that are necessary for the retrotransposition of L1 and the Short Interspersed Element (SINE) Alu. The functional importance of approximately 50% of the ORF2p molecule remains unknown, but some of these sequences could play a role in retrotransposition, or be necessary for the enzymatic activities of the EN and/or RT domains. Conventional approaches using the full-length, contiguous ORF2p make it difficult to study the involvement of these unannotated sequences in the function of L1 ORF2p. Our lab has developed a Bipartile Alu Retrotransposition (BAR) assay that relies on separate truncated ORF2p fragments: an EN-containing and an RT-containing fragment. We validated the utility of this method for studying the ORF2p function in retrotransposition by assessing the effect of expression levels and previously characterized mutations on BAR. Using BAR, we identified two pairs of amino acids important for retrotransposition, an FF and a WD. The WD appears to play a role in cDNA synthesis by the ORF2p molecule, despite being outside the canonical RT domain.

Site-specific non-LTR retrotransposons

Although most of non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are incorporated in the host genome almost randomly, some non-LTR retrotransposons are incorporated into specific sequences within a target site. On the basis of structural and phylogenetic features, non-LTR retrotransposons are classified into two large groups, restriction enzyme-like endonuclease (RLE)-encoding elements and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE)-encoding elements. All clades of RLE-encoding non-LTR retrotransposons include site-specific elements. However, only two of more than 20 APE-encoding clades, Tx1 and R1, contain site-specific non-LTR elements. Site-specific non-LTR retrotransposons usually target within multi-copy RNA genes, such as rRNA gene (rDNA) clusters, or repetitive genomic sequences, such as telomeric repeats; this behavior may be a symbiotic strategy to reduce the damage to the host genome. Site- and sequence-specificity are variable even among closely related non-LTR elements and appeared to have changed during evolution. In the APE-encoding elements, the primary determinant of the sequence- specific integration is APE itself, which nicks one strand of the target DNA during the initiation of target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). However, other factors, such as interaction between mRNA and the target DNA, and access to the target region in the nuclei also affect the sequence-specificity. In contrast, in the RLE-encoding elements, DNA-binding motifs appear to affect their sequence-specificity, rather than the RLE domain itself. Highly specific integration properties of these site-specific non-LTR elements make them ideal alternative tools for sequence-specific gene delivery, particularly for therapeutic purposes in human diseases.

Integration, Regulation, and Long-Term Stability of R2 Retrotransposons

R2 elements are sequence specific non-LTR retrotransposons that exclusively insert in the 28S rRNA genes of animals. R2s encode an endonuclease that cleaves the insertion site and a reverse transcriptase that uses the cleaved DNA to prime reverse transcription of the R2 transcript, a process termed target primed reverse transcription. Additional unusual properties of the reverse transcriptase as well as DNA and RNA binding domains of the R2 encoded protein have been characterized. R2 expression is through co-transcription with the 28S gene and self-cleavage by a ribozyme encoded at the R2 5' end. Studies in laboratory stocks and natural populations of Drosophila suggest that R2 expression is tied to the distribution of R2-inserted units within the rDNA locus. Most individuals have no R2 expression because only a small fraction of their rRNA genes need to be active, and a contiguous region of the locus free of R2 insertions can be selected for activation. However, if the R2-free region is not large enough to produce sufficient rRNA, flanking units - including those inserted with R2 - must be activated. Finally, R2 copies rapidly turnover within the rDNA locus, yet R2 has been vertically maintained in animal lineages for hundreds of millions of years. The key to this stability is R2's ability to remain dormant in rDNA units outside the transcribed regions for generations until the stochastic nature of the crossovers that drive the concerted evolution of the rDNA locus inevitably reshuffle the inserted and uninserted units, resulting in transcription of the R2-inserted units.

Identification of RNA binding motifs in the R2 retrotransposon-encoded reverse transcriptase

R2 non-LTR retrotransposons insert at a specific site in the 28S rRNA genes of many animal phyla. R2 elements encode a single polypeptide with reverse transcriptase, endonuclease and nucleic acid binding domains. Integration involves separate cleavage of the two DNA strands at the target site and utilization of the released 3' ends to prime DNA synthesis. Critical to this integration is the ability of the protein to specifically bind 3' and 5' regions of the R2 RNA. In this report, alanine mutations in two conserved motifs N-terminal to the reverse transcriptase domain were generated and shown to result in proteins that retained the ability to cleave the first strand of the DNA target, to reverse transcribe RNA from an annealed primer and to displace annealed RNA when using DNA as a template. However, the mutant proteins had greatly reduced ability to bind 3' and 5' RNA in mobility shift assays, use the DNA target to prime reverse transcription and conduct second-strand DNA cleavage. These motifs thus appear to participate in all activities of the R2 protein known to require specific RNA binding. The similarity of these R2 RNA binding motifs to those of telomerase and group II introns is discussed.

Endonuclease domain of the Drosophila melanogaster R2 non-LTR retrotransposon and related retroelements: a new model for transposition

The molecular mechanisms of the transposition of non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are not well understood; the key questions of how the 3′-ends of cDNA copies integrate and how site-specific integration occurs remain unresolved. Integration depends on properties of the endonuclease (EN) domain of retrotransposons. Using the EN domain of the Drosophila R2 retrotransposon as a model for other, closely related non-LTR retrotransposons, we investigated the EN domain and found that it resembles archaeal Holliday-junction resolvases. We suggest that these non-LTR retrotransposons are co-transcribed with the host transcript. Combined with the proposed resolvase activity of the EN domain, this model yields a novel mechanism for site-specific retrotransposition within this class of retrotransposons, with resolution proceeding via a Holliday junction intermediate.

Targeting novel sites: The N-terminal DNA binding domain of non-LTR retrotransposons is an adaptable module that is implicated in changing site specificities

Restriction-like endonuclease (RLE) bearing non-LTR retrotransposons are site-specific elements that integrate into the genome through target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). RLE-bearing elements have been used as a model system for investigating non-LTR retrotransposon integration. R2 elements target a specific site in the 28S rDNA gene. We previously demonstrated that the two major sub-classes of R2 (R2-A and R2-D) target the R2 insertion site in an opposing manner with regard to the pairing of known DNA binding domains and bound sequences-indicating that the A- and D-clades represent independently derived modes of targeting that site. Elements have been discovered that group phylogenetically with R2 but do not target the canonical R2 site. Here we extend our earlier studies to show that a separate R2-A clade element, which targets a site other than the canonical R2 site, does so by using the N-terminal zinc fingers and Myb motifs. We further extend our targeting studies beyond R2 clade elements by investigating the ability of the N-terminal zinc fingers from the nematode NeSL-1 element to target its integration site. Our data are consistent with the use of an N-terminal DNA binding domain as one of the major targeting determinants used by RLE-bearing non-LTR retrotransposons to secure a protein subunit near the insertion site. This N-terminal DNA binding domain can undergo modifications, allowing the element to target novel sites. The binding orientation of the N-terminal domain relative to the insertion site is quite variable.

Independently derived targeting of 28S rDNA by A- and D-clade R2 retrotransposons: Plasticity of integration mechanism

Restriction-like endonuclease (RLE) bearing non-LTR retrotransposons are site-specific elements that integrate into the genome through a target primed reverse transcription mechanism (TPRT). R2 elements have been used as a model system for investigating non-LTR retrotransposon integration. We previously demonstrated that R2 retrotransposons require two subunits of the element-encoded multifunctional protein to integrate-one subunit bound upstream of the insertion site and one bound downstream. R2 elements have been phylogenetically categorized into four clades: R2-A, B, C and D, that diverged from a common ancestor more than 850 million years ago. All R2 elements target the same sequence within 28S rDNA. The amino-terminal domain of R2Bm, an R2-D clade element, contains a single zinc finger and a Myb motif that are responsible for binding R2 protein downstream of the insertion site. Target site recognition is of interest as it is the first step in the integration reaction and may help elucidate evolutionary history and integration mechanism. The amino-terminal domain of R2-A clade members contains three zinc fingers and a Myb motif. We show here that R2Lp, an R2-A clade member, uses its amino-terminal DNA binding motifs to bind upstream of the insertion site. Because the R2-A and R2-D clade elements recognize 28S rDNA differently, we conclude the A- and D-clades represent independent targeting events to the 28S site. Our results also indicate a certain plasticity of insertional mechanics exists between the two clades.

Unique functions of repetitive transcriptomes

Repetitive sequences occupy a huge fraction of essentially every eukaryotic genome. Repetitive sequences cover more than 50% of mammalian genomic DNAs, whereas gene exons and protein-coding sequences occupy only ~3% and 1%, respectively. Numerous genomic repeats include genes themselves. They generally encode "selfish" proteins necessary for the proliferation of transposable elements (TEs) in the host genome. The major part of evolutionary "older" TEs accumulated mutations over time and fails to encode functional proteins. However, repeats have important functions also on the RNA level. Repetitive transcripts may serve as multifunctional RNAs by participating in the antisense regulation of gene activity and by competing with the host-encoded transcripts for cellular factors. In addition, genomic repeats include regulatory sequences like promoters, enhancers, splice sites, polyadenylation signals, and insulators, which actively reshape cellular transcriptomes. TE expression is tightly controlled by the host cells, and some mechanisms of this regulation were recently decoded. Finally, capacity of TEs to proliferate in the host genome led to the development of multiple biotechnological applications.

The R2 mobile element of Rhynchosciara americana: molecular, cytological and dynamic aspects

Ribosomal RNA genes are encoded by large units clustered (18S, 5S, and 28S) in the nucleolar organizer region in several organisms. Sometimes additional insertions are present in the coding region for the 28S rDNA. These insertions are specific non-long terminal repeat retrotransposons that have very restricted integration targets within the genome. The retrotransposon present in the genome of Rhynchosciara americana, RaR2, was isolated by the screening of a genomic library. Sequence analysis showed the presence of conserved regions, such as a reverse transcriptase domain and a zinc finger motif in the amino terminal region. The insertion site was highly conserved in R. americana and a phylogenetic analysis showed that this element belongs to the R2 clade. The chromosomal localization confirmed that the RaR2 mobile element was inserted into a specific site in the rDNA gene. The expression level of RaR2 in salivary glands during larval development was determined by quantitative RT-PCR, and the increase of relative expression in the 3P of the fourth instar larval could be related to intense gene activity characteristic of this stage. 5'-Truncated elements were identified in different DNA samples. Additionally, in three other Rhynchosciara species, the R2 element was present as a full-length element.

Target site analysis of RTE1_LA and its AfroSINE partner in the elephant genome

SINEs retrotranspose using their partner LINE's enzymatic machinery. It has recently been proposed that AfroSINEs ending with GGTTT 3' tandem repeats were mobilized by RTE elements ending with CAA 3' tandem repeats in the Afrotherian genome. Using sequences from the elephant genome, we show that AfroSINEs derive from RTE ending with GGTTT-like 3' tandem repeats, a subgroup of RTE1_LA that only reached low copy number, and confirm that they were most likely mobilized by RTE ending with CAA(n) tandem repeats (RTE1_LA-CAA(n)). This partnership is supported by sequence similarity between two regions of the elements, overlap in the timing of their activity, common features of their target site consensus that are not shared by other members of the RTE family, and their high copy number. Detailed analyses of pre-insertion loci reveal that like many other apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease encoding elements, RTE1_LA-CAA(n) shows loose target site specificity. In addition, the RTE1_LA-CAA(n) target site consensus shares several structural and primary sequence features with that of LINE1, suggesting that these two elements share close functional similarity in the target primed reverse transcription (TPRT) reaction. Interestingly, although globally similar, the target site consensus of AfroSINE(Anc) and RTE1_LA-CAA(n) differ in several aspects. These differences, not observed among all SINE/LINE pairs so far examined, are most likely due to the fact that AfroSINEs and RTE1_LA-CAA(n) are terminated by a different tandem repeat motif. We propose that these differences reflect constraints imposed by base pairing interactions between the mRNA 3' terminal tandem repeats and the target DNA at the onset of TPRT. So in addition to the endonuclease nicking preference, the mRNA of these elements appears to play an important role in integration site choice through a passive, post-nicking, selective process.

The diversity of retrotransposons and the properties of their reverse transcriptases

A number of abundant mobile genetic elements called retrotransposons reverse transcribe RNA to generate DNA for insertion into eukaryotic genomes. Four major classes of retrotransposons are described here. First, the long-terminal-repeat (LTR) retrotransposons have similar structures and mechanisms to those of the vertebrate retroviruses. Genes that may enable these retrotransposons to leave a cell have been acquired by these elements in a number of animal and plant lineages. Second, the tyrosine recombinase retrotransposons are similar to the LTR retrotransposons except that they have substituted a recombinase for the integrase and recombine into the host chromosomes. Third, the non-LTR retrotransposons use a cleaved chromosomal target site generated by an encoded endonuclease to prime reverse transcription. Finally, the Penelope-like retrotransposons are not well understood but appear to also use cleaved DNA or the ends of chromosomes as primer for reverse transcription. Described in the second part of this review are the enzymatic properties of the reverse transcriptases (RTs) encoded by retrotransposons. The RTs of the LTR retrotransposons are highly divergent in sequence but have similar enzymatic activities to those of retroviruses. The RTs of the non-LTR retrotransposons have several unique properties reflecting their adaptation to a different mechanism of retrotransposition.

Mammalian non-LTR retrotransposons: for better or worse, in sickness and in health

Transposable elements (TEs) have shared an exceptionally long coexistence with their host organisms and have come to occupy a significant fraction of eukaryotic genomes. The bulk of the expansion occurring within mammalian genomes has arisen from the activity of type I retrotransposons, which amplify in a "copy-and-paste" fashion through an RNA intermediate. For better or worse, the sequences of these retrotransposons are now wedded to the genomes of their mammalian hosts. Although there are several reported instances of the positive contribution of mobile elements to their host genomes, these discoveries have occurred alongside growing evidence of the role of TEs in human disease and genetic instability. Here we examine, with a particular emphasis on human retrotransposon activity, several newly discovered aspects of mammalian retrotransposon biology. We consider their potential impact on host biology as well as their ultimate implications for the nature of the TE-host relationship.

Protein interactions involved in tRNA gene-specific integration of Dictyostelium discoideum non-long terminal repeat retrotransposon TRE5-A

Mobile genetic elements that reside in gene-dense genomes face the problem of avoiding devastating insertional mutagenesis of genes in their host cell genomes. To meet this challenge, some Saccharomyces cerevisiae long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons have evolved targeted integration at safe sites in the immediate vicinity of tRNA genes. Integration of yeast Ty3 is mediated by interactions of retrotransposon protein with the tRNA gene-specific transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB). In the genome of the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, the non-LTR retrotransposon TRE5-A integrates approximately 48 bp upstream of tRNA genes, yet little is known about how the retrotransposon identifies integration sites. Here, we show direct protein interactions of the TRE5-A ORF1 protein with subunits of TFIIIB, suggesting that ORF1p is a component of the TRE5-A preintegration complex that determines integration sites. Our results demonstrate that evolution has put forth similar solutions to prevent damage of diverse, compact genomes by different classes of mobile elements.

DNA-directed DNA polymerase and strand displacement activity of the reverse transcriptase encoded by the R2 retrotransposon

R2 elements are non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons with a single open reading-frame encoding reverse transcriptase, DNA endonuclease and nucleic acid-binding domains. The elements are specialized for insertion into the 28 S rRNA genes of many animal phyla. The R2-encoded activities initiate retrotransposition by sequence-specific cleavage of the 28 S gene target site and the utilization of the released DNA 3' end to prime reverse transcription (target primed reverse transcription). The activity of the R2 polymerase on RNA templates has been shown to differ from retroviral reverse transcriptases (RTs) in a number of properties. We demonstrate that the R2-RT is capable of efficiently utilizing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) as a template. The processivity of the enzyme on ssDNA templates is higher than its processivity on RNA templates. This finding suggests that R2-RT is also capable of synthesizing the second DNA strand during retrotransposition. However, R2-RT lacks the RNAse H activity that is typically used by retroviral and LTR-retrotransposon RTs to remove the RNA strand before the first DNA strand is used as template. Remarkably, R2-RT can displace RNA strands that are annealed to ssDNA templates with essentially no loss of processivity. Such strand displacement activity is highly unusual for a DNA polymerase. Thus the single R2 protein contains all the activities needed to make a double-stranded DNA product from an RNA transcript. Finally, during these studies we found an unexpected property of the highly sequence-specific R2 endonuclease domain. The endonuclease can non-specifically cleave ssDNA at a junction with double-stranded DNA. This activity suggests that second-strand cleavage of the target site may not be sequence specific, but rather is specified by a single-stranded region generated when the first DNA strand is used to prime reverse transcription.

CR1 clade of non-LTR retrotransposons from Maculinea butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): evidence for recent horizontal transmission

Background

Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are mobile genetic elements that propagate themselves by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. Non-LTR retrotransposons are known to evolve mainly via vertical transmission and random loss. Horizontal transmission is believed to be a very rare event in non-LTR retrotransposons. Our knowledge of distribution and diversity of insect non-LTR retrotransposons is limited to a few species – mainly model organisms such as dipteran genera Drosophila, Anopheles, and Aedes. However, diversity of non-LTR retroelements in arthropods seems to be much richer. The present study extends the analysis of non-LTR retroelements to CR1 clade from four butterfly species of genus Maculinea (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).

The lycaenid genus Maculinea, the object of interest for evolutionary biologists and also a model group for European biodiversity studies, possesses a unique, specialized myrmecophilous lifestyle at larval stage. Their caterpillars, after three weeks of phytophagous life on specific food plants drop to the ground where they are adopted to the ant nest by Myrmica foraging workers.

Results

We found that the genome of Maculinea butterflies contains multiple CR1 lineages of non-LTR retrotransposons, including those from MacCR1A, MacCR1B and T1Q families. A comparative analysis of RT nucleotide sequences demonstrated an extremely high similarity among elements both in interspecific and intraspecific comparisons. CR1A-like elements were found only in family Lycaenidae. In contrast, MacCR1B lineage clones were extremely similar to CR1B non-LTR retrotransposons from Bombycidae moths: silkworm Bombyx mori and Oberthueria caeca.

Conclusion

The degree of coding sequence similarity of the studied elements, their discontinuous distribution, and results of divergence-versus-age analysis make it highly unlikely that these sequences diverged at the same time as their host taxa. The only reasonable alternative explanation is horizontal transfer. In addition, phylogenetic markers for population analysis of Maculinea could be developed based on the described non-LTR retrotransposons.

RNA from the 5' end of the R2 retrotransposon controls R2 protein binding to and cleavage of its DNA target site

Non-LTR retrotransposons insert into eukaryotic genomes by target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT), a process in which cleaved DNA targets are used to prime reverse transcription of the element's RNA transcript. Many of the steps in the integration pathway of these elements can be characterized in vitro for the R2 element because of the rigid sequence specificity of R2 for both its DNA target and its RNA template. R2 retrotransposition involves identical subunits of the R2 protein bound to different DNA sequences upstream and downstream of the insertion site. The key determinant regulating which DNA-binding conformation the protein adopts was found to be a 320-nt RNA sequence from near the 5' end of the R2 element. In the absence of this 5' RNA the R2 protein binds DNA sequences upstream of the insertion site, cleaves the first DNA strand, and conducts TPRT when RNA containing the 3' untranslated region of the R2 transcript is present. In the presence of the 320-nt 5' RNA, the R2 protein binds DNA sequences downstream of the insertion site. Cleavage of the second DNA strand by the downstream subunit does not appear to occur until after the 5' RNA is removed from this subunit. We postulate that the removal of the 5' RNA normally occurs during reverse transcription, and thus provides a critical temporal link to first- and second-strand DNA cleavage in the R2 retrotransposition reaction.