Dataset Information

Mutations in Su(var)205 and Su(var)3-7 suppress P-element-dependent silencing in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: In Drosophila melanogaster, the w(+) transgene in P[lacW]ci(Dplac) is uniformly expressed throughout the adult eye. However, when other P elements are present, this w(+) transgene is randomly silenced and this produces a variegated eye phenotype. This P-element-dependent silencing (PDS) is limited to w(+) transgenes inserted in a specific region on chromosome 4. In a screen for genetic modifiers of PDS, we isolated mutations in Su(var)205, Su(var)3-7, and two unidentified genes that suppress this variegated phenotype. Therefore, only a few of the genes encoding heterochromatic modifiers act dose dependently in PDS. In addition, we recovered two spontaneous mutations of P[lacW]ci(Dplac) that variegate in the absence of P elements. These P[lacW]i(Dplac) derivatives have a gypsy element inserted proximally to the P[lacW]ci(Dplac) insert. The same mutations that suppress PDS also suppress w(+) silencing from these P[lacW]ci(Dplac) derivative alleles. This indicates that both cis-acting changes in sequence and trans-acting P elements cause a similar change in chromatin structure that silences w(+) expression in P[lacW]ci(Dplac). Together, these results confirm that PDS occurs at P[lacW]ci(Dplac) because of the chromatin structure at this chromosomal position. Studying w(+) variegation from P[lacW]ci(Dplac) provides a model for the interactions that can enhance heterochromatic silencing at single P-element inserts.

SUBMITTER: Bushey D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1448784 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mutations in Su(var)205 and Su(var)3-7 suppress P-element-dependent silencing in Drosophila melanogaster.

Bushey Daniel D Locke John J

Genetics 20041101 3

In Drosophila melanogaster, the w(+) transgene in P[lacW]ci(Dplac) is uniformly expressed throughout the adult eye. However, when other P elements are present, this w(+) transgene is randomly silenced and this produces a variegated eye phenotype. This P-element-dependent silencing (PDS) is limited to w(+) transgenes inserted in a specific region on chromosome 4. In a screen for genetic modifiers of PDS, we isolated mutations in Su(var)205, Su(var)3-7, and two unidentified genes that suppress thi ...[more]

PMID: 15579693

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Project description:Fly strains were obtained from the Bloomington Stock Center. The chromosomes containing the gene deletion mod(mdg4)L3101 {y[1] w[1118]; P{w[+mC]=lacW}mod(mdg4)[L3101]/TM3, Ser[1]}, HP1 {In(1)w[m4h]; Su(var)205[5]/In(2L)Cy,In(2R)Cy, Cy[1]}, mod(mdg4)G16853 {w[1118]; P{w[+mC]=EP}mod(mdg4)[G16853]/TM6C, Sb[1]}, and Jil-1Scim {y[1]; P{y[+mDint2] w[BR.E.BR]=SUPor-P}JIL-1[Scim] ry[506]} were introgressed into the genetic background y[1]; bw[1]; e[4]; ci[1] ey[R] to generate the strains Mod(mdg4)/+, Su(var)205/+ and JIL-1/+. All females used in the introgression were collected within 7 hours after eclosion. For gene expression analyses, flies were grown in incubators at 25°C, 65% of relative humidity, and constant light. Newly emerged male adults flies harboring the mutations and the Y chromosomes Yohio and Ycongo(Mod(mdg4)/+;Yohio and Mod(mdg4)/+;Ycongo, Su(var)205/+;Yohio and Su(var)205/+;Ycongo, and JIL-1/+;Yohio and JIL-1/+;Ycongo) were collected and aged for 2 days at the same rearing condition before they were flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Four replicas of each sample were collected and stored at -80°C. Total RNA was extracted from whole flies using TRIzol (Life Technologies). The synthesis of cDNA and its labeling with fluorescent dyes (Cy3 and Cy5) as well as hybridization reactions were carried out using 3DNA protocols and reagents (Genisphere). The genetic interaction of the Y chromosome and the mutation was studied by the following contrasts: 1) male flies Mod(mdg4)/+;Yohio versus male flies Mod(mdg4)/+;Ycongo; 2) male flies Su(var)205/+;Yohio versus male flies Su(var)205/+;Ycongo; 3) male flies JIL-1/+;Yohio versus male flies JIL-1/+;Ycongo). As reference we used the same genetic background without the mutations [+/+;Ycongo (background 2) and +/+;Yohio (background 2)]. Slides were scanned using Axon 400B scanner (Axon Instruments) and GenePix Pro 6.0 software. Foreground fluorescence of dye intensities was normalized by the Loess method in Bioconductor / Limma.

Project description:Transposable elements (TE) are selfish genetic elements that can cause harmful mutations. In Drosophila, it has been estimated that half of all spontaneous visible marker phenotypes are mutations caused by TE insertions. Several factors likely limit the accumulation of exponentially amplifying TEs within genomes. First, synergistic interactions between TEs that amplify their harm with increasing copy number are proposed to limit TE copy number. However, the nature of this synergy is poorly understood. Second, because of the harm posed by TEs, eukaryotes have evolved systems of small RNA-based genome defense to limit transposition. However, as in all immune systems, there is a cost of autoimmunity and small RNA-based systems that silence TEs can inadvertently silence genes flanking TE insertions. In a screen for essential meiotic genes in Drosophila melanogaster, a truncated Doc retrotransposon within a neighboring gene was found to trigger the germline silencing of ald, the Drosophila Mps1 homolog, a gene essential for proper chromosome segregation in meiosis. A subsequent screen for suppressors of this silencing identified a new insertion of a Hobo DNA transposon in the same neighboring gene. Here we describe how the original Doc insertion triggers flanking piRNA biogenesis and local gene silencing. We show that this local gene silencing occurs in cis and is dependent on deadlock, a component of the Rhino-Deadlock-Cutoff (RDC) complex, to trigger dual-strand piRNA biogenesis at TE insertions. We further show how the additional Hobo insertion leads to de-silencing by reducing flanking piRNA biogenesis triggered by the original Doc insertion. These results support a model of TE-mediated gene silencing by piRNA biogenesis in cis that depends on local determinants of transcription. This may explain complex patterns of off-target gene silencing triggered by TEs within populations and in the laboratory. It also provides a mechanism of sign epistasis among TE insertions, illuminates the complex nature of their interactions and supports a model in which off-target gene silencing shapes the evolution of the RDC complex.

Dataset Information

Mutations in Su(var)205 and Su(var)3-7 suppress P-element-dependent silencing in Drosophila melanogaster.

Publications

Mutations in Su(var)205 and Su(var)3-7 suppress P-element-dependent silencing in Drosophila melanogaster.

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