RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Dynamic Interactions Between the Genome and an Endogenous Retrovirus: <em>Tirant</em> in <em>Drosophila simulans</em> Wild-Type Strains
JF G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics
FD Genetics Society of America
SP 855
OP 865
DO 10.1534/g3.118.200789
VO 9
IS 3
A1 Fablet, Marie
A1 Jacquet, Angelo
A1 Rebollo, Rita
A1 Haudry, Annabelle
A1 Rey, Carine
A1 Salces-Ortiz, Judit
A1 Bajad, Prajakta
A1 Burlet, Nelly
A1 Jantsch, Michael F.
A1 Guerreiro, Maria Pilar García
A1 Vieira, Cristina
YR 2019
UL http://www.g3journal.org/content/9/3/855.abstract
AB All genomes contain repeated sequences that are known as transposable elements (TEs). Among these are endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), which are sequences similar to retroviruses and are transmitted across generations from parent to progeny. These sequences are controlled in genomes through epigenetic mechanisms. At the center of the epigenetic control of TEs are small interfering RNAs of the piRNA class, which trigger heterochromatinization of TE sequences. The tirant ERV of Drosophila simulans displays intra-specific variability in copy numbers, insertion sites, and transcription levels, providing us with a well-suited model to study the dynamic relationship between a TE family and the host genome through epigenetic mechanisms. We show that tirant transcript amounts and piRNA amounts are positively correlated in ovaries in normal conditions, unlike what was previously described following divergent crosses. In addition, we describe tirant insertion polymorphism in the genomes of three D. simulans wild-type strains, which reveals a limited number of insertions that may be associated with gene transcript level changes through heterochromatin spreading and have phenotypic impacts. Taken together, our results participate in the understanding of the equilibrium between the host genome and its TEs.