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Technical advance: display and isolation of transposon-flanking sequences starting from genomic DNA or RNA.

Insertion mutagenesis using transposons has become a powerful tool for the isolation of genes involved in any given biochemical or developmental pathway. We describe here ligation-mediated PCR techniques for the isolation of sequences flanking the transposable elements En/Spm, Mu1 and Cin4 in Zea mays and Arabidopsis thaliana. Two versions of this transposon insertion display (TID) method use biotinylated linkers or biotinylated primers to rapidly isolate transposon-flanking sequences starting from digested genomic DNA. TID protocols have been employed to clone several genes from En/Spm insertion mutants of Arabidopsis. A novel procedure, expression TID (ETID), is also introduced, which provides a direct approach for the isolation of transposon insertions that tag transcribed portions of genes. ETID uses RNA as a starting material and exploits 5' RACE PCR to identify transposon copies that form parts of gene transcripts. The detection of several En/Spm insertion mutations in Arabidopsis illustrates the power of this method. ETID offers important advantages for the isolation of mutant alleles of novel genes that are expressed in specific tissues in plants and animals.

Alleles↗

Evidence that a family of miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) from the Arabidopsis thaliana genome has arisen from a pogo-like DNA transposon.

Sequence similarities exist between terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) of some miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) families isolated from a wide range of organisms, including plants, insects, and humans, and TIRs of DNA transposons from the pogo family. We present here evidence that one of these MITE families, previously described for Arabidopsis thaliana, is derived from a larger element encoding a putative transposase. We have named this novel class II transposon Lemi1. We show that its putative product is related to transposases of the Tc1/mariner superfamily, being closer to the pogo family. A similar truncated element was found in a tomato DNA sequence, indicating an ancient origin and/or horizontal transfer for this family of elements. These results are reminiscent of those recently reported for the human genome, where other members of the pogo family, named Tiggers, are believed to be responsible for the generation of abundant MITE-like elements in an early primate ancestor. These results further suggest that some MITE families, which are highly reiterated in plant, insect, and human genomes, could have arisen from a similar mechanism, implicating pogo-like elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tn5 transposase loops DNA in the absence of Tn5 transposon end sequences.

Transposases mediate transposition first by binding specific DNA end sequences that define a transposable element and then by organizing protein and DNA into a highly structured and stable nucleoprotein 'synaptic' complex. Synaptic complex assembly is a central checkpoint in many transposition mechanisms. The Tn5 synaptic complex contains two Tn5 transposase subunits and two Tn5 transposon end sequences, exhibits extensive protein-end sequence DNA contacts and is the node of a DNA loop. Using single-molecule and bulk biochemical approaches, we found that Tn5 transposase assembles a stable nucleoprotein complex in the absence of Tn5 transposon end sequences. Surprisingly, this end sequence-independent complex has structural similarities to the synaptic complex. This complex is the node of a DNA loop; transposase dimerization and DNA specificity mutants affect its assembly; and it likely has the same number of proteins and DNA molecules as the synaptic complex. Furthermore, our results indicate that Tn5 transposase preferentially binds and loops a subset of non-Tn5 end sequences. Assembly of end sequence-independent nucleoprotein complexes likely plays a role in the in vivo downregulation of transposition and the cis-transposition bias of many bacterial transposases.

Base Sequence↗

DNA sequencing with transposons.

The use of transposons offers the possibility of a directed approach to DNA sequencing, where a target DNA up to about 6kb in length can be sequenced quickly and with minimal redundancy. Transposons are mobile DNA elements which can be inserted in a reasonably random fashion into the target DNA. An important part of this process is the location of the transposon insertions (known as mapping) and the selection of a sensible subset of transposons to use as priming sites for sequencing reactions. This paper presents a probabilistic method of scoring selected subsets of transposons and a graph-theoretic algorithm for selection of a subset of maximal score.

Algorithms↗

The m gamma delta-1 element, a small gamma delta (Tn1000) derivative useful for plasmid mutagenesis, allele replacement and DNA sequencing.

Transposon gamma delta (Tn1000), a 6-kb member of the Tn3 family, is widely used for plasmid mutagenesis. A 1.8-kb derivative of gamma delta was constructed that contains the kan gene from Tn5 and the resolution (res) site from gamma delta cloned between 40-bp inverted repeats of gamma delta's delta (delta) end. This element, named m gamma delta-1, lacks the genes encoding transposase and resolvase, and therefore depends on its host to supply transposition and resolution functions. Thus, in strains lacking gamma delta, m gamma delta-1 will not transpose. The m gamma delta-1 element is shown to be useful for mutagenesis of plasmids, DNA sequencing, and allele replacement (in Streptomyces avermitilis).

Alleles↗

Identification of a transposon Tn3 sequence required for transposition immunity.

A plasmid containing transposon Tn3 is immune to further insertions of Tn3. This phenomenon works in cis and is referred to as transposition immunity. We have used the ability of Tn3 to form cointegrates between two plasmids to develop a quantitative assay to detect transposition immunity. Presence of Tn3 on both the plasmids reduces the cointegration frequency to less than 1/100 of parental. Using this assay, we have determined that (i) tnpR is not required for immunity, (ii) only the terminal 38 base pairs of Tn3 need be present to confer immunity, and (iii) other parts of Tn3 appear not to confer immunity.

Base Sequence↗

Probe mapping to facilitate transposon-based DNA sequencing.

A promising strategy for DNA sequencing exploits transposons to provide mobile sites for the binding of sequencing primers. For such a strategy to be maximally efficient, the location and orientation of the transposon must be readily determined and the insertion sites should be randomly distributed. We demonstrate an efficient probe-based method for the localization and orientation of transposon-borne primer sites, which is adaptable to large-scale sequencing strategies. This approach requires no prior restriction enzyme mapping or knowledge of the cloned sequence and eliminates the inefficiency inherent in totally random sequencing methods. To test the efficiency of probe mapping, 49 insertions of the transposon gamma delta (Tn1000) in a cloned fragment of Drosophila melanogaster DNA were mapped and oriented. In addition, oligonucleotide primers specific for unique subterminal gamma delta segments were used to prime dideoxynucleotide double-stranded sequencing. These data provided an opportunity to rigorously examine gamma delta insertion sites. The insertions were quite randomly distributed, even though the target DNA fragment had both A + T-rich and G + C-rich regions; in G + C-rich DNA, the insertions were found in A + T-rich "valleys." These data demonstrate that gamma delta is an excellent choice for supplying mobile primer binding sites to cloned DNA and that transposon-based probe mapping permits the sequences of large cloned segments to be determined without any subcloning.

Animals↗

Transposon insertion sequencing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa identifies multiple intersecting pathways essential for extreme colistin resistance.

Colistin is used to treat antibiotic resistant gram-negative infections, including those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa). Using a diverse collection of clinical isolates, we identified BWH047, a colistin-resistant isolate with an extremely high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 1280 µg/mL). To characterize the genes conditionally essential for colistin resistance in BWH047, we employed transposon insertion sequencing and identified 20 gene candidates. In-frame deletion validated 75% of the candidates and identified genes in several new pathways that contribute to colistin resistance in Pa, including algU and wapH. We also identified several candidate genes from previously reported colistin resistance pathways (e.g., arn, pmrAB). We further investigated the impact of a colistin resistance-associated inner membrane DedA-family undecaprenyl phosphate flippase, which we named DpcA (DedA of Pseudomonas necessary for colistin resistance A). Deletion of dpcA in BWH047 restored sensitivity to colistin (MIC = 0.5 µg/mL) and resulted in several unique changes to the structure of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), including production of decreased amounts of the colistin resistance-conferring 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinose (L-Ara4N) modification on lipid A. This work represents a robust analysis of colistin resistance in Pa and identifies intersecting pathways that contribute to extreme phenotypic resistance.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa↗

First nosocomial outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium expressing a VanD-like phenotype associated with a vanA genotype.

Although enterococci expressing acquired vancomycin resistance phenotype have been reported increasingly worldwide, they have been rarely reported in France. From August to December 2004 we faced an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) isolates in the nephrology department at Bicêtre Hospital (K.-Bicêtre, France). The expression of the glycopeptide resistance varied among the 26 VRE isolates, with vancomycin MICs ranging from 12 to >256 microg/ml, whereas teicoplanin MICs ranged from 4 to 48 microg/ml. However, several strains appeared to be susceptible to glycopeptides according to disk diffusion testing and expressed resistance only after subculture with glycopeptides. In addition, a heterogeneous expression of glycopeptide resistance was also observed. This so-called VanD-like phenotype of resistance (low-level resistance to vancomycin and mostly susceptibility to teicoplanin) was surprisingly associated with a vanA gene. Plasmid extraction and mating-out experiments indicated that the vanA gene was located on a 200-kb self-transferable plasmid. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified mostly dissemination of a single clone, whereas diffusion of the VanA-positive plasmid in different genomic backgrounds had also occurred. The vanA gene was part of a vanA-type operon for expression of resistance located on a Tn1546-like transposon. Sequencing of this transposon identified insertion of insertion sequence IS16 in the vanY gene that encodes a d,d-carboxypeptidase that might explain in part the peculiar VanD-type phenotype of resistance. This report is the first description of a VRE outbreak in France and underlines the difficulty in detecting this organism due to variability on the expression of the glycopeptide resistance trait, if any.

Adult↗

Complete sequence and transposon mutagenesis of the BamHI J fragment of Cydia pomonella granulosis virus.

The BamHI J fragment of Cydia pomonella granulosis virus was subcloned and subjected to transposon mutagenesis in Escherichia coli using a Tn3 derivative. After screening by restriction endonuclease digestion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 44 clones were selected representing insertions every 100 to 300 bp. The complete sequence was compiled and the transposon insertion sites mapped precisely by sequencing. Analysis of the sequence revealed the presence of 7 potential open reading frames (ORFs). The BamHI J fragment was already known to encode IAP and OPDV-E6. Three other ORFs encode products similar to known proteins, viz. an Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus 8.6 kDa protein, a Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus 34 kDa protein, and vertebrate reovirus omega-1 proteins. The ORF with similarity to omega-1 is also similar to baculovirus p10 proteins. In both cases, the similarity occurs in regions likely to form a coiled-coil structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Splicing of retrotransposon insertions from transcripts of the Drosophila melanogaster vermilion gene in a revertant.

A mutation of the Drosophila melanogaster vermilion (v) gene known as v1 is caused by the insertion of a 412 retrotransposon into the 5' untranslated region of the first exon. Mutants carrying this insertion accumulate a low level of mRNA from which most of the transposon sequences have been eliminated by splicing at cryptic sites within transposon sequences. Here, we demonstrate that a revertant of the v1 allele called v+37 is caused by the insertion of a second retrotransposon, the B104/roo element, into a site near one end of the 412 element. The revertant strain accumulates a higher level of mRNA from which most of both transposons have been removed by splicing at new donor sites introduced by the B104/roo insertion and the same acceptor site within 412. Mutations at suppressor of sable [su(s)], which increase the accumulation of v1 transcripts, slightly elevate the level of v+37 RNA. In addition, we show that the first v intron downstream of the 412 insertion is not efficiently removed in the v1 mutant, and suppressor and reversion mutations increase the proportion of transcripts that are properly spliced at that downstream intron. Thus, it appears that both the suppressor and reversion mutations exert an effect at the level of pre-mRNA splicing.

Animals↗

Transcription of a human transposon-like sequence is usually directed by other promoters.

The transcriptional activity of a human transposon-like family of repeats, called the THE-1 family, has been studied in cell culture and in human tissue. Both strands of THE-1 are present in several discrete length poly A plus RNAs. Primer extension studies and the structures of cDNA clones show that these THE-1 transcripts are usually the product of other transcription units. The THE-1 LTR provides the polyadenylation processing site for two transcripts, which result from upstream non THE-1 promoters. Yet another transcript, containing an internal THE-1 element in the probable sense orientation, is greatly enriched in a polysomal size fraction.

Base Sequence↗

Excision of Tn10 from the donor site during transposition occurs by flush double-strand cleavages at the transposon termini.

Tn10 transposition is accomplished without extensive replication of the transposon sequences. Replicative cointegrate formation is precluded by efficient separation of transposon sequences from flanking donor DNA at an early stage in the transposition reaction. We report here that excision of Tn10 from its donor site occurs by a pair of flush double-strand breaks. Breaks occur at each end of the element precisely between the terminal base pair of the element and the first base pair of flanking DNA. This observation provides definitive evidence that cleavage of both strands of the element occurs under the direct control of Tn10 transposase protein. It is highly likely that transposase itself is directly responsible for these cleavages. The implications of this possibility are discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Transposon-free insertions for insect genetic engineering.

Methods involving the release of transgenic insects in the field hold great promise for controlling vector-borne diseases and agricultural pests. Insect transformation depends on nonautonomous transposable elements as gene vectors. The resulting insertions are stable in the absence of suitable transposase, however, such absence cannot always be guaranteed. We describe a method for post-integration elimination of all transposon sequences in the pest insect Medfly, Ceratitis capitata. The resulting insertions lack transposon sequences and are therefore impervious to transposase activity.

Animals↗

Transposon-like sequences at the TOX2 locus of the plant-pathogenic fungus Cochliobolus carbonum.

The ascomycete fungus Cochliobolus carbonum race 1 is pathogenic on certain genotypes of maize due to the production of HC-toxin, a host-specific cyclic peptide. HC-toxin production is controlled, at least in part, by a duplicated 22-kb region of DNA that is found only in toxin-producing isolates of the fungus. This 22-kb region of DNA is flanked by a repetitive element. We have sequenced the element and found an interrupted reading frame that would encode a product similar to transposases from the fungal transposons Fot1 of Fusarium oxysporum and Pot2 of Magnaporthe grisea. The individual element cloned from C. carbonum is likely to function neither in cis nor trans, as it had a nonsense mutation in frame and several substitutions in its terminal inverted repeats. However, similar elements in the C. carbonum genome may be active, as the putative transposase-encoding region hybridized to mRNA of the size predicted by the reading frame. The element was found in varying copy number in the genomes of all Cochliobolus spp. examined, giving a distinct fingerprint in each species and race tested. The sequence similarity of the C. carbonum repetitive element to other fungal transposons, along with its presence in multiple copies per genome, strongly suggest that the C. carbonum repetitive element is a member of the Fot1 family of fungal transposons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic analyses of gene function and pathogenesis of murine cytomegalovirus by transposon-mediated mutagenesis.

Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) has a linear genome of 230 kb and encodes more than 170 genes, many of which have not been extensively studied for their functions in pathogenesis in vivo. A Tn3-based transposon was constructed and used to generate MCMV mutants by disrupting viral gene targets. The functions of the mutated genes were investigated by studying the viral mutants in cultured cells and in immunocompetent Balb/c and immunodeficient SCID mice. A pool of MCMV mutants that contained the transposon sequence randomly inserted at the viral genome was generated. Studies of several mutants (e.g. a viral mutant with the transposon inserted at open reading frame m09) in cultured cells and in mice indicate that the presence of the transposon sequence per se in the viral genome does not significantly affect viral growth in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the genome structures of the viral mutants, including the transposon insertion regions, were stable during replication in cultured cells and in animals. Several viral mutants (e.g. a viral mutant with the transposon at M27) that are attenuated in growth and virulence in animals were identified. These results suggest that the genes mutated in these viral mutants may be important for viral virulence and pathogenesis. The Tn3-based system may be a useful tool for the systematic construction of CMV mutants and for studies of CMV gene functions in viral replication in vitro and in pathogenesis in vivo.

Animals↗

Intramolecular transposition by Tn10.

Transposon Tn10 promotes the formation of a circular product containing only transposon sequences. We show that these circles result from an intramolecular transposition reaction in which all of the strand cleavage and ligation events have occurred but newly created transposon/target junctions have not undergone repair. The unligated strand termini at these junctions are those expected according to a simple model in which the target DNA is cleaved by a pair of staggered nicks 9 bp apart, transposon sequences are separated from flanking donor DNA by cleavage at the terminal nucleotides on both strands (at both ends) of the element, and 3' transposon strand ends are ligated to 5' target strand ends. The stability of the unligated junctions suggests that they are protected from cellular processing by transposase and/or host proteins. We propose that the nonreplicative nature of Tn10 transposition is determined by the efficiency with which the nontransferred transposon strand is separated from flanking donor DNA and by the nature of the protein-DNA complexes present at the strand transfer junctions.

Base Sequence↗