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Mutator transposase is widespread in the grasses.
D R Lisch1, M Freeling, R J Langham
1Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, 111 Koshland Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. dlisch@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Plant Physiology
|March 13, 2001
Summary
The Mutator (Mu) transposon system, known in maize, shows widespread mudrA gene presence across diverse grasses. Evidence suggests potentially active Mu-like systems in species like rice and wheat.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
- Plant Transposon Systems
Background:
- The Mutator (Mu) transposon system is highly mutagenic and well-characterized in maize (Zea mays).
- Mu activity is regulated by the MuDR class of elements, including the mudrA gene, which shares similarity with bacterial transposases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and diversity of Mutator (Mu) transposon system components in various grass species beyond maize.
- To assess the potential activity and conservation of Mu-like elements across different graminoids.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analyses of existing sequence databases (genomic and cDNA).
- Comparative sequence analysis of mudrA-like genes in various grass species.
- Identification of characteristic transposon features such as terminal inverted repeats and direct repeat sequences.
Main Results:
- mudrA sequences are ubiquitous and diverse across numerous grass species, often with multiple paralogs within a single genome.
- mudrA-like sequences are present in cDNA databases for wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa), indicating potential transcription.
- In rice and sorghum, mudrA-like genes exhibit structural features (terminal inverted and host direct repeats) indicative of active transposons.
Conclusions:
- Systems related to the maize Mutator (Mu) transposon are potentially active in a wide range of grass species.
- While mudrA is conserved, the mudrB gene, crucial for Mu activity in maize, may not be a universal component in other grasses.