TE content correlates positively with genome size Mb 3000 Genomic DNA 2500 2000 1500 1000 TE DNA Protein-coding DNA 500 0 Feschotte & Pritham 2006
Transposable elements. Variation in gene numbers cannot explain variation in genome size among eukaryotes Most variation in genome size is due to variation in the amount of repetitive DNA (mostly derived from TEs) TEs accumulate in intergenic and intronic regions CONCLUSIONS and continue to play TEs have played ^ an important role in genome evolution and diversification Can facilitate expansion and contraction of genomes AND gene families
Goals for next two class sessions: 1.Distinguish major transposable element classes: DNA (transposase) RNA (reverse transcriptase) LTR retrotransposon (integrase) Non-LTR retrotransposon (TPRT) Autonomous Non-autonomous 2.Presently Active Human TEs LINE LINE-1 or L1 SINE Alu SVA 3.Consequences of TEs Genetic (individual) Evolutionary (species)
Repetitive elements are interspersed throughout mammalian genomes Han & Boeke, Bioessays 2005 27:775-84.
DNA transposons transposase From Molecular Cell Biol ed 5
From Molecular Cell Biol ed 5 Overview of DNA transposition
Summary: DNA transposition cis-acting sequences (inverted repeats) recognized by elementencoded transposase enzyme (can be supplied in trans) transposase leaves a double-strand break upon excision similarities to VDJ recombination (e.g., Rag1) which is believed to be an exapted transposon staggered break in target DNA at the insertion site causes target site duplications (short, direct repeats) to flank the transposon after transposition is complete and the gaps are repaired
LTR retrotransposons Retrotransposition: transposition with an RNA intermediate Replication like retroviruses From Molecular Cell Biol ed 5
First step in LTR retrotransposition: transcription of an integrated copy From Molecular Cell Biol ed 5
Second step in LTR retrotransposition: cdna synthesis From Molecular Cell Biol ed 5
Summary: LTR retrotransposition transposition begins with transcription LTRs (long terminal repeats) are the critical cis-acting sequences (note: these are direct repeats) element encodes reverse transcriptase and integrase enzymes, plus additional proteins required for replication RNA copied into double-stranded cdna in cytoplasm, using a cellular trna as the first primer integrase catalyzes insertion of the ds-cdna at a staggered break in target DNA, creating a target site duplication as with transposase
Similarities between DNA transposition and non-ltr retrotransposition transposase integrase From Molecular Cell Biol ed 5
Retrotransposition: the non-ltr retrotransposon, L1 Han & Boeke, Bioessays 2005 27:775-84.
Non-LTR retrotransposons insert by TPRT Belancio V P et al. Genome Res. 2008;18:343-358
Summary: non-ltr retrotransposition transposition begins with transcription requires element-encoded endonuclease and reverse transcriptase cdna synthesis and insertion of the new copy into chromosomal DNA occurs simultaneously, by TPRT (target-primed reverse transcription) newly-inserted elements typically have a polya tail and target-site duplications
TE composition varies among eukaryotic genomes 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% DNA transposons LTR Retro. Non-LTR Retro. Feschotte & Pritham 2006
Major groups of DNA transposons are widespread in eukaryotes
TE composition varies among vertebrate genomes
Age distribution of interspersed repeats in the mammoth, human, and opossum genomes Zhao F et al. Genome Res. 2009;19:1384-1392
~45% of the human genome is derived from transposable elements Cordaux & Batzer, 2009, v10, 691-703
Non-LTR retrotransposons in humans and other eukaryotes Eickbush & Jamburuthugoda, 2009 Kapitonov et al. Gene, 2009
Dramatically different LINE amplification in human and fish genomes Furano et al., Trends Genet. 2004, 20:9-14
Structure of a typical full-length human L1 element: note subfamily sequence variation Boissinot S et al. Genome Res. 2004;14:1221-1231
Modified from Boissinot, S. et al. Mol Biol Evol 2001 18:926-935. Evolution of L1 in the primate genome OWM, apes, humans humans only all great apes, inc Hs
Chromosomal location, activity, allele frequency, and subclass of 82 full-length L1 elements with two intact ORFs Brouha B et al. PNAS 2003;100:5280-5285
L1 activity distribution Brouha B et al. PNAS 2003;100:5280-5285
The frequency distribution of polymorphic Ta1 elements full length truncated Modified from Boissinot S et al. PNAS 2006;103:9590-9594
L1Hs insertions found in various human genomes Ewing A D, Kazazian H H Genome Res. 2010;20:1262-1270 2010 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
Impact of transposable elements on genomes A source of genetic novelty Alter gene function by insertion Induce chromosomal rearrangements
TEs can influence gene expression in many ways Feschotte, C. Nat Rev Genet. 2008 May; 9(5): 397 405.
Building regulatory systems with transposable elements Feschotte, C. Nat Rev Genet. 2008 May; 9(5): 397 405.
DNA-binding proteins and transcription factors derived from transposases Feschotte, C. Nat Rev Genet. 2008 May; 9(5): 397 405.
Mechanisms by which L1 retrotransposition can disrupt genes Han & Boeke, Bioessays 2005 27:775-84.
L1 can create novel functional alleles in several ways Han & Boeke, Bioessays 2005 27:775-84.
How Retrotransposons Affect the Cell Goodier & Kazazian, Cell, 2008,135:23-35
How the Cell Affects Retrotransposons Goodier & Kazazian, Cell, 2008,135:23-35
Interspersed repeat-mediated non-allelic homologous recombination Hedges & Deininger, Mutat Res, 616:46-59
Learning Objectives: Define and discuss the key similarities and differences among DNA transposons, LTR and non-ltr retrotransposons. Explain how transposable elements can cause variation among individuals within a species or between species? Explain how transposable elements could act to alter phenotypes between humans, including between identical twins. Distinguish autonomous from non-autonomous transposable elements. Which TEs are currently active in the human genome?