1. Telomeric Position Effect in Drosophila MelanogasterReflects a Telomere Length Control Mechanism
- Author
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Mason, James, Konev, Alexander, and Biessmann, Harald
- Abstract
The terminal DNA arrays on chromosomes of Drosophila melanogasterare composed of two families of non-LTR retrotransposons, HeT-Aand TART. Available evidence suggests that chromosome length in this species and its close relatives is maintained by targeted transposition of these elements, with attachment of the elements to the chromosome end by their 3′ oligo(A) tails. However, the regulation of transposition of these elements and the control of telomere length are poorly understood. Here we present the hypothesis that the forces involved in telomere length regulation in Drosophilaare the underlying forces that manifest themselves as telomeric position effect (TPE). Based on recent studies of TPE, which found that expression of a reporter gene is influenced by telomere structure in cisand trans, we propose that the subtelomeric satellite (TAS) in D. melanogasterplays an important role in controlling telomere elongation. Transcription of a HeT-Aelement is probably initiated at a promoter in the 3′ UTR of an upstream element, and TAS may repress this transcriptional activity in cisand trans. A region of HeT-Anot at the extreme 3′ end of the element may act as a transcriptional enhancer that may be modulated by TAS.
- Published
- 2003
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