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Mobilization of Pack-CACTA transposons in Arabidopsis suggests the mechanism of gene shuffling.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Jonesman, Thomas 
Cerruti, Elisa 
Paszkowski, Jerzy 

Abstract

Pack-TYPE transposons are a unique class of potentially mobile non-autonomous elements that can capture, merge and relocate fragments of chromosomal DNA. It has been postulated that their activity accelerates the evolution of host genes. However, this important presumption is based only on the sequences of currently inactive Pack-TYPE transposons and the acquisition of chromosomal DNA has not been recorded in real time. Analysing the DNA copy number variation in hypomethylated Arabidopsis lines, we have now for the first time witnessed the mobilization of novel Pack-TYPE elements related to the CACTA transposon family, over several plant generations. Remarkably, these elements can insert into genes as closely spaced direct repeats and they frequently undergo incomplete excisions, resulting in the deletion of one of the end sequences. These properties suggest a mechanism of efficient acquisition of genic DNA residing between neighbouring Pack-TYPE transposons and its subsequent mobilization. Our work documents crucial steps in the formation of in vivo novel Pack-TYPE transposons, and thus the possible mechanism of gene shuffling mediated by this type of mobile element.

Description

Keywords

Arabidopsis, Chromosomes, Plant, DNA Copy Number Variations, DNA Methylation, DNA Transposable Elements, Genome, Plant

Journal Title

Nucleic Acids Res

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0305-1048
1362-4962

Volume Title

47

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sponsorship
European Research Council (322621)
Gatsby Charitable Foundation (unknown)