Tec2, a second transposon-like element demonstrating developmentally programmed excision in Euplotes crassus

Programmed chromosome fragmentation in ciliated protozoa: multiple means to chromosome ends

SUMMARYCiliated protozoa undergo large-scale developmental rearrangement of their somatic genomes when forming a new transcriptionally active macronucleus during conjugation. This process includes the fragmentation of chromosomes derived from the germline, coupled with the efficient healing of the broken ends by de novo telomere addition. Here, we review what is known of developmental chromosome fragmentation in ciliates that have been well-studied at the molecular level (Tetrahymena, Paramecium, Euplotes, Stylonychia, and Oxytricha). These organisms differ substantially in the fidelity and precision of their fragmentation systems, as well as in the presence or absence of well-defined sequence elements that direct excision, suggesting that chromosome fragmentation systems have evolved multiple times and/or have been significantly altered during ciliate evolution. We propose a two-stage model for the evolution of the current ciliate systems, with both stages involving repetitive or transposable elements in the genome. The ancestral form of chromosome fragmentation is proposed to have been derived from the ciliate small RNA/chromatin modification process that removes transposons and other repetitive elements from the macronuclear genome during development. The evolution of this ancestral system is suggested to have potentiated its replacement in some ciliate lineages by subsequent fragmentation systems derived from mobile genetic elements.

Comparative genomics reveals insight into the evolutionary origin of massively scrambled genomes

Ciliates are microbial eukaryotes that undergo extensive programmed genome rearrangement, a natural genome editing process that converts long germline chromosomes into smaller gene-rich somatic chromosomes. Three well-studied ciliates include Oxytricha trifallax, Tetrahymena thermophila, and Paramecium tetraurelia, but only the Oxytricha lineage has a massively scrambled genome, whose assembly during development requires hundreds of thousands of precisely programmed DNA joining events, representing the most complex genome dynamics of any known organism. Here we study the emergence of such complex genomes by examining the origin and evolution of discontinuous and scrambled genes in the Oxytricha lineage. This study compares six genomes from three species, the germline and somatic genomes for Euplotes woodruffi, Tetmemena sp., and the model ciliate O. trifallax. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the germline and somatic genomes of E. woodruffi, which provides an outgroup, and the germline genome of Tetmemena sp. We find that the germline genome of Tetmemena is as massively scrambled and interrupted as Oxytricha's: 13.6% of its gene loci require programmed translocations and/or inversions, with some genes requiring hundreds of precise gene editing events during development. This study revealed that the earlier diverged spirotrich, E. woodruffi, also has a scrambled genome, but only roughly half as many loci (7.3%) are scrambled. Furthermore, its scrambled genes are less complex, together supporting the position of Euplotes as a possible evolutionary intermediate in this lineage, in the process of accumulating complex evolutionary genome rearrangements, all of which require extensive repair to assemble functional coding regions. Comparative analysis also reveals that scrambled loci are often associated with local duplications, supporting a gradual model for the origin of complex, scrambled genomes via many small events of DNA duplication and decay.

Identification of a novel "chromosome scaffold" protein that associates with Tec elements undergoing en masse elimination in Euplotes crassus

During macronuclear development in the ciliate Euplotes crassus, the highly repetitive, transposon-like Tec elements possess an unusual chromatin structure. We observed that the Tec element chromatin is highly resistant to salt extraction and behaves like a nuclear matrix/chromosome scaffold-associated structure. Standard matrix/scaffold extraction procedures identified two major proteins: 1) an ~140-kDa protein that seems to be topoisomerase II based on its reactivity with anti-topoisomerase II antibodies, and 2) an 85-kDa protein that we further purified by acid extraction and have shown to be a novel protein by sequence analysis of its gene. The 85-kDa protein (p85) is a developmental stage-specific protein and is located exclusively in the developing macronucleus. Immunolocalization studies of p85 show that it colocalizes with topoisomerase II in chromatin. In addition, in situ hybridization combined with immunofluorescence localization of the proteins indicates that 100% of the Tec elements colocalize with 70% of the p85, whereas no significant colocalization with a total macronuclear sequence-specific probe is observed. p85 is the first developmental stage-specific protein identified as being specifically associated with sequences undergoing elimination in E. crassus.

Tec3, a new developmentally eliminated DNA element in Euplotes crassus

More than 100,000 interstitial segments of DNA (internal eliminated sequences [IESs]) are excised from the genome during the formation of a new macronucleus in Euplotes crassus. IESs include unique sequence DNA as well as two related families of transposable elements, Tec1 and Tec2. Here we describe a new class of E. crassus transposons, Tec3, which is present in 20 to 30 copies in the micronuclear genome. Tec3 elements have long inverted terminal repeats and contain a degenerate open reading frame encoding a tyrosine-type recombinase. One characterized copy of Tec3 (Tec3-1) is 4.48 kbp long, has 1.23-kbp inverted terminal repeats, and resides within the micronuclear copy of the ribosomal protein L29 gene (RPL29). The 23 bp at the extreme ends of this element are very similar to those in other E. crassus IESs and, like these other IESs, Tec3-1 is excised during the polytene chromosome stage of macronuclear development to generate a free circular form with an unusual junction structure. In contrast, a second cloned element, Tec3-2, is quite similar to Tec3-1 but lacks the terminal 258 bp of the inverted repeats, so that its ends do not resemble the other E. crassus IES termini. The Tec3-2 element appears to reside in a large segment of the micronuclear genome that is subject to developmental elimination. Models for the origins of these two types of Tec3 elements are presented, along with a discussion of how some members of this new transposon family may have come to be excised by the same machinery that removes other E. crassus IESs.

A novel family of mobile genetic elements is limited to the germline genome in Tetrahymena thermophila

In the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila, extensive DNA elimination is associated with differentiation of the somatic macronucleus from the germline micronucleus. This study describes the isolation and complete characterization of Tlr elements, a family of approximately 30 micronuclear DNA sequences that are efficiently eliminated from the developing macronucleus. The data indicate that Tlr elements are comprised of an approximately 22 kb internal region flanked by complex and variable termini. The Tlr internal region is highly conserved among family members and contains 15 open reading frames, some of which resemble genes encoded by transposons and viruses. The Tlr termini appear to be long inverted repeats consisting of (i) a variable region containing multiple direct repeats which differ in number and sequence from element to element and (ii) a conserved terminal 47 bp sequence. Taken together, these results suggest that Tlr elements comprise a novel family of mobile genetic elements that are confined to the Tetrahymena germline genome. Possible mechanisms of developmentally programmed Tlr elimination are discussed.

A unique pattern of intrastrand anomalies in base composition of the DNA in hypotrichs

The 50 non-coding bases immediately internal to the telomeric repeats in the two 5' ends of macronuclear DNA molecules of a group of hypotrichous ciliates are anomalous in composition, consisting of 61% purines and 39% pyrimidines, A>T (ratio of 44:32), and G>C (ratio of 17:7). These ratio imbalances violate parity rule 2, according to which A should equal T and G should equal C within a DNA strand and therefore pyrimidines should equal purines. The purine-rich and base ratio imbalances are in marked contrast to the rest of the non-coding parts of the molecules, which have the theoretically expected purine content of 50%, with A = T and G = C. The ORFs contain an average of 52% purines as a result of bias in codon usage. The 50 bases that flank the 5' ends of macronuclear sequences in micronuclear DNA (12 cases) consist of approximately 50% purines. Thus, the 50 bases in the 5' ends of macronuclear sequences in micronuclear DNA are islands of purine richness in which A>T and G>C. These islands may serve as signals for the excision of macronuclear molecules during macronuclear development. We have found no published reports of coding or non-coding native DNA with such anomalous base composition.

Differentiation of chromatin during DNA elimination in Euplotes crassus

In Euplotes crassus, most of the micronuclear genome is eliminated during formation of a transcriptionally active macronucleus. To understand how this is mediated throughout the genome, we have examined the chromatin structure of the macronucleus-destined sequences and Tec transposons, which are dispersed in 15,000 copies in the micronuclear genome and completely eliminated during formation of the macronuclear genome. Whereas the macronucleus-destined sequences show a typical pattern of nucleosomal repeats in micrococcal nuclease digests, the Tec element chromatin structure digests to a nucleosome-like repeat pattern that is not typical: the minimum digestion products are approximately 300-600 base pairs, or "subnucleosomal," in size. In addition, the excised, circular forms of the Tec elements are exceedingly resistant to nucleases. Nevertheless, an underlying nucleosomal structure of the Tec elements can be demonstrated from the size differences between repeats in partial micrococcal nuclease digests and by trypsin treatment of nuclei, which results in mononucleosome-sized products. Characterization of the most micrococcal nuclease-resistant DNA indicates that micronuclear telomeres are organized into a chromatin structure with digestion properties identical to those of the Tec elements in the developing macronucleus. Thus, these major repetitive sequence components of the micronuclear genome differ in their chromatin structure from the macronuclear-destined sequences during DNA elimination. The potential role of developmental stage-specific histone variants in this chromatin differentiation is discussed.

A nascent micronuclear pseudogene in the ciliate Euplotes crassus

The macronuclear genome of Euplotes crassus contains two different genes, EFA1 and EFA2, encoding EF-1alpha proteins. They are derived from micronuclear precursors in the course of a sexual process termed conjugation. We have found that two apparent micronuclear precursors exist for EFA1. They differ in their potential coding sequences and in the internal sequences interrupting the genes, which are normally removed during the processing from micronuclear into macronuclear genes. One of these genes is not processed into a macronuclear gene and has accumulated C-->T transitions in a limited section of the coding region. The gene obviously constitutes a recent duplication which has lost its ability to be processed into a macronuclear gene and has therefore become a micronuclear pseudogene. The true EFA1 precursor harbours a novel type of internal sequence in addition to a classical AT-rich IES. As usual, only one micronuclear EFA2 precursor gene was found. Its coding sequence is interrupted by a 79 bp TeIIES.

Differential replication and DNA elimination in the polytene chromosomes of Euplotes crassus

The transposon-like Tec elements of Euplotes crassus are precisely excised during formation of polytene chromosomes in the developing macronucleus. To determine whether all Tec elements exhibit identical developmental timing of excision, we used polymerase chain reaction to visualize amplification and diminution at numerous randomly selected Tec insertion sites. Two classes of sites are evident. Early replicating sites show one or more rounds of amplification and diminution (corresponding to excision) and frequently occur within macronuclear-destined sequences. Late replicating sites do not undergo diminution until chromosome fragmentation and are predominantly associated with eliminated sequences. We conclude that the previously described clustering of macro-nuclear-destined sequences in the micronuclear genome allows for their differential replication at the polytene stage and results in targeting of these sequences for transcriptional activation and highly specific deletion and chromosome fragmentation processes.

DNA rearrangements in Euplotes crassus coincide with discrete periods of DNA replication during the polytene chromosome stage of macronuclear development

Macronuclear development in Euplotes crassus begins with polytenization of micronuclear chromosomes and is accompanied by highly precise excision of DNA sequences known as internal eliminated sequences and transposon-like elements (Tecs). Quantitation of radiolabeled-precursor incorporation into DNA indicates that DNA synthesis during formation of polytene chromosomes is not continuous and occurs during two distinct periods. We demonstrate that the timing of Tec excision coincides with these replication periods and that excision can occur during both periods even at a single locus. We also show that Tec and internal eliminated sequence excisions are coincident in the second replication period, thus providing further evidence for similarity in their excision mechanism. Inhibition of DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea diminishes Tec element excision, indicating that replication is an important aspect of the excision process.

Consensus inverted terminal repeat sequence of Paramecium IESs: resemblance to termini of Tc1-related and Euplotes Tec transposons

During the formation of a transcriptionally active macronucleus, ciliated protozoa excise large numbers of interstitial segments of DNA (internal eliminated sequences; IESs) from their chromosomes. In this study we analyze the published sequences of 20 IESs that interrupt surface protein genes of Paramecium and identify a consensus inverted terminal repeat. This sequence is similar to the ends of the Tc1-related transposons found in nematodes and other metazoans, as well as to both the ends of the Tec transposons and at least some of the IESs in the distantly related ciliate Euplotes crassus. The results of these analyses bolster previous proposals that IESs were created by transposition.

The fate of deleted DNA produced during programmed genomic deletion events in Tetrahymena thermophila

Thousands of DNA deletion events occur during macronuclear development in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. In two deleted genomic regions, designated M and R, the eliminated sequences form circles that can be detected by PCR. However, the circles are not normal products of the reaction pathway. The circular forms occur at very low levels in conjugating cells, but are stable. Sequencing analysis showed that many of the circles (as many as 50% of those examined) reflected a precise deletion in the M and R regions. The remaining circles were either smaller or larger and contained varying lengths of sequences derived from the chromosomal DNA surrounding the eliminated region. The chromosomal junctions left behind after deletion were more precise, although deletions in either the M or R regions can generate any of several alternative junctions (1). Some new chromosomal junctions were detected in the present study. The results suggest that the deleted segment is released as a linear DNA species that is degraded rapidly. The species is only rarely converted to the stable circles we detect. The deletion mechanism is different from those proposed for deletion events in hypotrichous ciliates (2-4), and does not reflect a conservative site-specific recombination process such as that promoted by the bacteriophage lambda integrase (5).

Developmentally regulated, low abundance Tec element transcripts in Euplotes crassus--implications for DNA elimination and transposition

During macromolecular development in the ciliated protozoan, Euplotes crassus, > 105 Tec elements are precisely eliminated from the genome in a 2-4 h time interval, generating extrachromosomal circular forms of the elements. Various models have proposed a transposition-based mechanism for this excision. We have tested this hypothesis by determining the abundance of transcripts of Tec element open reading frames (ORFs) and the timing of their appearance. Transcripts are very low in abundance and are only detected by PCR amplification techniques. Thus, the low levels of transcripts argue against the participation of element-encoded functions in the Tec element elimination process. The element transcripts are only detected in RNA samples from mated cells, indicating that the micronucleus and/or developing macronucleus are transcriptionally active during the sexual phase of the life cycle. The transcription detected could allow a low level of germline-specific transposition for these elements.

A small family of elements with long inverted repeats is located near sites of developmentally regulated DNA rearrangement in Tetrahymena thermophila

Extensive DNA rearrangement occurs during the development of the somatic macronucleus from the germ line micronucleus in ciliated protozoans. The micronuclear junctions and the macronuclear product of a developmentally regulated DNA rearrangement in Tetrahymena thermophila, Tlr1, have been cloned. The intrachromosomal rearrangement joins sequences that are separated by more than 13 kb in the micronucleus with the elimination of moderately repeated micronucleus-specific DNA sequences. There is a long, 825-bp, inverted repeat near the micronuclear junctions. The inverted repeat contains two different 19-bp tandem repeats. The 19-bp repeats are associated with each other and with DNA rearrangements at seven locations in the micronuclear genome. Southern blot analysis is consistent with the occurrence of the 19-bp repeats within pairs of larger repeated sequences. Another family member was isolated. The 19-mers in that clone are also in close proximity to a rearrangement junction. We propose that the 19-mers define a small family of developmentally regulated DNA rearrangements having elements with long inverted repeats near the junction sites. We discuss the possibility that transposable elements evolve by capture of molecular machinery required for essential cellular functions.

A small family of elements with long inverted repeats is located near sites of developmentally regulated DNA rearrangement in Tetrahymena thermophila

Extensive DNA rearrangement occurs during the development of the somatic macronucleus from the germ line micronucleus in ciliated protozoans. The micronuclear junctions and the macronuclear product of a developmentally regulated DNA rearrangement in Tetrahymena thermophila, Tlr1, have been cloned. The intrachromosomal rearrangement joins sequences that are separated by more than 13 kb in the micronucleus with the elimination of moderately repeated micronucleus-specific DNA sequences. There is a long, 825-bp, inverted repeat near the micronuclear junctions. The inverted repeat contains two different 19-bp tandem repeats. The 19-bp repeats are associated with each other and with DNA rearrangements at seven locations in the micronuclear genome. Southern blot analysis is consistent with the occurrence of the 19-bp repeats within pairs of larger repeated sequences. Another family member was isolated. The 19-mers in that clone are also in close proximity to a rearrangement junction. We propose that the 19-mers define a small family of developmentally regulated DNA rearrangements having elements with long inverted repeats near the junction sites. We discuss the possibility that transposable elements evolve by capture of molecular machinery required for essential cellular functions.

The DNA of ciliated protozoa

Ciliates contain two types of nuclei: a micronucleus and a macronucleus. The micronucleus serves as the germ line nucleus but does not express its genes. The macronucleus provides the nuclear RNA for vegetative growth. Mating cells exchange haploid micronuclei, and a new macronucleus develops from a new diploid micronucleus. The old macronucleus is destroyed. This conversion consists of amplification, elimination, fragmentation, and splicing of DNA sequences on a massive scale. Fragmentation produces subchromosomal molecules in Tetrahymena and Paramecium cells and much smaller, gene-sized molecules in hypotrichous ciliates to which telomere sequences are added. These molecules are then amplified, some to higher copy numbers than others. rDNA is differentially amplified to thousands of copies per macronucleus. Eliminated sequences include transposonlike elements and sequences called internal eliminated sequences that interrupt gene coding regions in the micronuclear genome. Some, perhaps all, of these are excised as circular molecules and destroyed. In at least some hypotrichs, segments of some micronuclear genes are scrambled in a nonfunctional order and are recorded during macronuclear development. Vegetatively growing ciliates appear to possess a mechanism for adjusting copy numbers of individual genes, which corrects gene imbalances resulting from random distribution of DNA molecules during amitosis of the macronucleus. Other distinctive features of ciliate DNA include an altered use of the conventional stop codons.

The organization of internal telomeric repeats in the polytene chromosomes of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia lemnae

There exist about 1000-1500 internal telomeric sequences per haploid genome in the polytene chromosomes of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonychia lemnae. All these telomeric repeats are contained in a very conserved element. This element consists of two 2 kb direct repeats flanking a 2.6 kb sequence. Immediately adjacent to one of the repeats a 18mer C4A4C4A4C2 telomeric sequence is localized. Sequences homologous to macronuclear DNA follow 180 bp downstream of the C4A4-bloc. These macronuclear homologous sequences are flanked by the second direct repeat. The possible origin and function of these telomere containing elements is discussed.