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Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition

Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition Jessica A. Downs and Stephen P. Jackson * Wellcome/CRC Institute and Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1QR, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty elements are retrotransposons whose life cycles are strikingly similar to those of retroviruses. They transpose via an RNA intermediate that is converted to linear double-stranded cDNA and then inserted into the host genome. Although Ty integration is mediated by the element-encoded integrase, it has been proposed that host factors are involved in this process. Here, we show that the DNA end-binding protein Ku, which functions in DNA double-strand break repair, potentiates retrotransposition. Specifically, by using a galactose-inducible Ty1 system, we found that in vivo, Ty1 retrotransposition rates were substantially reduced in the absence of Ku. In contrast, this phenotype was not observed with yeast strains containing mutations in other genes that are involved in DNA repair. We present evidence that Ku associates with Ty1 viruslike particles both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide an additional role for Ku and suggest that it might function in the life cycles of retroelements in other systems. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Molecular and Cellular Biology American Society For Microbiology

Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition

Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition

Molecular and Cellular Biology , Volume 19 (9): 6260 – Sep 1, 1999

Abstract

Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition Jessica A. Downs and Stephen P. Jackson * Wellcome/CRC Institute and Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1QR, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty elements are retrotransposons whose life cycles are strikingly similar to those of retroviruses. They transpose via an RNA intermediate that is converted to linear double-stranded cDNA and then inserted into the host genome. Although Ty integration is mediated by the element-encoded integrase, it has been proposed that host factors are involved in this process. Here, we show that the DNA end-binding protein Ku, which functions in DNA double-strand break repair, potentiates retrotransposition. Specifically, by using a galactose-inducible Ty1 system, we found that in vivo, Ty1 retrotransposition rates were substantially reduced in the absence of Ku. In contrast, this phenotype was not observed with yeast strains containing mutations in other genes that are involved in DNA repair. We present evidence that Ku associates with Ty1 viruslike particles both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide an additional role for Ku and suggest that it might function in the life cycles of retroelements in other systems.

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Publisher
American Society For Microbiology
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 by the American society for Microbiology.
ISSN
0270-7306
eISSN
1098-5549
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition Jessica A. Downs and Stephen P. Jackson * Wellcome/CRC Institute and Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1QR, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty elements are retrotransposons whose life cycles are strikingly similar to those of retroviruses. They transpose via an RNA intermediate that is converted to linear double-stranded cDNA and then inserted into the host genome. Although Ty integration is mediated by the element-encoded integrase, it has been proposed that host factors are involved in this process. Here, we show that the DNA end-binding protein Ku, which functions in DNA double-strand break repair, potentiates retrotransposition. Specifically, by using a galactose-inducible Ty1 system, we found that in vivo, Ty1 retrotransposition rates were substantially reduced in the absence of Ku. In contrast, this phenotype was not observed with yeast strains containing mutations in other genes that are involved in DNA repair. We present evidence that Ku associates with Ty1 viruslike particles both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide an additional role for Ku and suggest that it might function in the life cycles of retroelements in other systems.

Journal

Molecular and Cellular BiologyAmerican Society For Microbiology

Published: Sep 1, 1999

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