Isolation and characterization of seventy-nine full-length mariner-like transposase genes in the Bambusoideae subfamily

Abstract

Mariner-like elements (MLEs) are the most diverse and widespread transposable elements, with members of the MLE superfamily found in fungi, plants, ciliates and animals. In a previous study, we characterized 82 MLE transposase gene fragments (average length 383 bp) in 44 bamboo species, indicating that MLEs are widespread, abundant and diverse in the Bambusoideae subfamily. In this study, we isolated 79 full-length MLE transposase genes from 63 bamboo species representing 38 genera in six subtribes mainly found in China. The transposases were highly conserved, mostly uniform in length and contained intact DNA-binding motifs and DD39D catalytic domains with few notable frameshift, indel and nonsense mutations. This suggested the MLEs are probably still mobile, not yet affected by vertical inactivation. A phylogenetic tree of the Bambusoideae subfamily established using ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences was incongruent with a second tree based on the MLE transposase genes. This evidence, together with the presence of near-identical MLEs in distantly related species and diverse MLEs in closely related species, indicates that MLEs have evolved in a distinct manner, probably independently of speciation events in the subfamily. The evolution and diversity of MLE transposase genes in the Bambusoideae subfamily is discussed.

Characterization of mariner-like transposons of the mauritiana Subfamily in seven tree aphid species

“…Here, the topologies of haplotype networks are highly incongruent, showing that MLEs have evolved independently of the speciation events. A similar observation was also been reported for the Bambusoideae Subfamily (Zhou et al 2011). These results imply that horizontal transfer events might occur between species originating within a relatively small geographic range.…”

Affinities of Terminal Inverted Repeats to DNA Binding Domain of Transposase Affect the Transposition Activity of Bamboo Ppmar2 Mariner-Like Element

“…Among the TEs, MLEs are Class II DNA transposons abundantly available in the living organisms. Of the several MLEs available in the bamboo genomes, two MLEs are characterized in moso bamboo, namely, Ppmar1 and Ppmar2 [45]. To use them as a potential tool for genetic investigations in moso bamboo, there is a need to document the efficiency of these elements.…”

“…The DBDs of Ppmar1 and Ppmar2 transposases used in the current study contained 22 amino acids each, MTI EDV SSR LGI SKS RIQ RYL K for the former and TTI RDL AGA LNI SKS TLF RQM K for the latter. The homologous alignment of the DBD amino acid sequences of transposase (Figure 6) indicated a helix-turn-helix (HTH) motif [45]. The DBD sequences were synthesised by Sangon Biotech (Shanghai, China) and named as Ppmar1 -DBD and Ppmar2 -DBD, respectively.…”

“…Among the reported transposons in bamboo, 82 MLEs from 44 bamboo species belonging to 38 genera have been characterized [43]. A few MLEs found in the moso bamboo genome [43,44] indicated highly conserved transposases [45]. Two active full-length MLEs, Ppmar1 and Ppmar2 , isolated from moso bamboo that contained perfect TIRs and intact transposases [46], showed size differences, with Ppmar 1 being longer and belonging to A2 subfamily, and the shorter Ppmar2 belonging to C subfamily [46].…”

Genetics and genomics of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): Current status, future challenges, and biotechnological opportunities toward a sustainable bamboo industry

“…DNA transposons of moso bamboo are the most widely studied among the bamboo TEs (Zhong, Zhou, Xu, & Tang, 2010; Zhou, Liu, & Tang, 2012; Zhou, Lu, Zhong, Liu, & Tang, 2010; Zhou, Lu, Zhong, Tang, & Tang, 2010; Zhou, Zhong, & Tang, 2011). They are classified to three superfamilies: mariner ‐like elements ( MLE ), P instability factor ( PIF )‐like elements, and Pong ‐like elements.…”