The Tol1 element of the medaka fish, a member of the hAT transposable element family, jumps in Caenorhabditis elegans

Identification of nuclear localization signal within goldfish Tgf2 transposase

The structure of goldfish (Carassius auratus) Tgf2 transposase is still poorly understood, although it can mediate efficient gene transfer in teleost fish. We hypothesized the existence of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) within Tgf2 transposase to assist transport into the nucleus. To explore this, 15 consecutive amino acid residues (656-670 aa) within the C-terminus of Tgf2 transposase were predicted in silico to be a NLS domain. The pEGFP-C1-Tgf2TP(△31C) plasmid encoding the NLS-domain-deleted Tgf2 transposase fused to EGFP was constructed, and transfected into 293T cells. After transfection with pEGFP-C1-Tgf2TP(△31C), EGFP was not detected in the nucleus alone, while 67.0% of cells expressed EGFP only in the cytoplasm. In contrast, after transfection with control plasmids containing C- or N-terminal truncated Tgf2 transposases with an intact NLS domain, EGFP was not detected in the cytoplasm alone, while approximately 40% of cells expressed EGFP only in the nucleus, and the remaining 60% expressed EGFP in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Our results demonstrated that loss of the NLS domain results in expression in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus. These findings suggest that 15 aa residues located from 656 to 670 aa within the C-terminus of Tgf2 transposase can function as a NLS to assist the transfer of the transposase into the nucleus where it mediates DNA transposition.

A novel hAT element in Bombyx mori and Rhodnius prolixus: its relationship with miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) and horizontal transfer

Comparative analysis of transposable elements (TEs) from different species can make it possible to reconstruct their history over evolutionary time. In this study, we identified a novel hAT element in Bombyx mori and Rhodnius prolixus with characteristic GGGCGGCA repeats in its subterminal region. Meanwhile, phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the elements in these two species might represent a separate cluster of the hAT superfamily. Strikingly, a previously identified miniature inverted repeat transposable element (MITE) shared high identity with this autonomous element across the entire length, supporting the hypothesis that MITEs are derived from the internal deletion of DNA transposons. Interestingly, identity of the consensus sequences of this novel hAT element between B. mori and R. prolixus, which diverged about 370 million years ago, was as high as 96.5% over their full length (about 3.6 kb) at the nucleotide level. The patchy distribution amongst species, coupled with overall lack of intense purifying selection acting on this element, suggest that this novel hAT element might have experienced horizontal transfer between the ancestors of B. mori and R. prolixus. Our results highlight that this novel hAT element could be used as a potential tool for germline transformation of R. prolixus to control the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease.

From genes to function: the C. elegans genetic toolbox

This review aims to provide an overview of the technologies which make the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans an attractive genetic model system. We describe transgenesis techniques and forward and reverse genetic approaches to isolate mutants and clone genes. In addition, we discuss the new possibilities offered by genome engineering strategies and next-generation genome analysis tools.

Promiscuous DNA: horizontal transfer of transposable elements and why it matters for eukaryotic evolution

Horizontal transfer is the passage of genetic material between genomes by means other than parent-to-offspring inheritance. Although the transfer of genes is thought to be crucial in prokaryotic evolution, few instances of horizontal gene transfer have been reported in multicellular eukaryotes; instead, most cases involve transposable elements. With over 200 cases now documented, it is possible to assess the importance of horizontal transfer for the evolution of transposable elements and their host genomes. We review criteria for detecting horizontal transfers and examine recent examples of the phenomenon, shedding light on its mechanistic underpinnings, including the role of host-parasite interactions. We argue that the introduction of transposable elements by horizontal transfer in eukaryotic genomes has been a major force propelling genomic variation and biological innovation.

Manipulating the Caenorhabditis elegans genome using mariner transposons

Tc1, one of the founding members of the Tc1/mariner transposon superfamily, was identified in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans more than 25 years ago. Over the years, Tc1 and other endogenous mariner transposons became valuable tools for mutagenesis and targeted gene inactivation in C. elegans. However, transposition is naturally repressed in the C. elegans germline by an RNAi-like mechanism, necessitating the use of mutant strains in which transposition was globally derepressed, which causes drawbacks such as uncontrolled proliferation of the transposons in the genome and accumulation of background mutations. The more recent mobilization of the Drosophila mariner transposon Mos1 in the C. elegans germline circumvented the problems inherent to endogenous transposons. Mos1 transposition strictly depends on the expression of the Mos transposase, which can be controlled in the germline using inducible promoters. First, Mos1 can be used for insertional mutagenesis. The mobilization of Mos1 copies present on an extrachromosomal array results in the generation of a small number of Mos1 genomic insertions that can be rapidly cloned by inverse PCR. Second, Mos1 insertions can be used for genome engineering. Triggering the excision of a genomic Mos1 insertion causes a chromosomal break, which can be repaired by transgene-instructed gene conversion. This process is used to introduce specific changes in a given gene, such as point mutations, deletions or insertions of a tag, and to create single-copy transgenes.

Transposon tools hopping in vertebrates

In the past decade, tools derived from DNA transposons have made major contributions to vertebrate genetic studies from gene delivery to gene discovery. Multiple, highly complementary systems have been developed, and many more are in the pipeline. Judging which DNA transposon element will work the best in diverse uses from zebrafish genetic manipulation to human gene therapy is currently a complex task. We have summarized the major transposon vector systems active in vertebrates, comparing and contrasting known critical biochemical and in vivo properties, for future tool design and new genetic applications.

Germline transgenesis of zebrafish using the medaka Tol1 transposon system

Tol1 is a DNA-based transposable element first identified from an albino mutant medaka fish. It has been demonstrated to function as an efficient gene transfer vector in mammalian cells. We now demonstrate Tol1 germline transgenesis in zebrafish. A construct containing the green fluorescence protein (GFP) reporter gene inserted between the Tol1 arms was microinjected together with Tol1 transposase mRNA into fertilized eggs. Sustained GFP expression was observed in 88% of 1-month-old fish, suggesting efficient transposon integration into somatic cells. Eleven of 24 adult GFP-positive fish yielded GFP-positive progeny. Sequencing analysis of Tol1 insertion sites in GFP-positive progeny confirmed Tol1 transposition-mediated integrations into zebrafish chromosomes. We also observed functional independence of the Tol1 transposase-substrate system from that of Tol2, another medaka-derived transposon. Coupled with its previously demonstrated maximal cargo capacity of >20 kb, Tol1 could serve as a useful addition to the zebrafish genetic engineering toolbox.