PCR-based detection of Pol III-transcribed transposons and its application to the rodent model of ultraviolet response

Abstract

Cellular levels of RNAs containing transposable elements increase in response to various stresses. Polymerase III (Pol III)-dependent transcripts of transposons are different from transposon-containing RNAs generated by read-through Pol II-dependent transcription. Until now, Pol III transcripts were detected by primer extension followed by time-consuming gel electrophoresis. In this paper, we describe a more sensitive PCR-based method for the selective detection of Pol III-transcribed RNAs. The method is based on the difference in sequences at the 5' ends of the Pol II- and Pol III-dependent transcripts. We employed this method to quantify Pol III transcripts of transposon B1 in rodent cells and revealed that their levels are affected by UV irradiation. We therefore conclude that the abundance of the Pol III-transcribed fraction of cellular RNA may serve as marker of stress response and can be conveniently quantified by the method described.

Effects of heat and UV radiation on the mobilization of transposon mariner-Mos1

“…Some studies have indicated that UV radiation can mobilize TEs (Kuan et al 1991;Eichenbaum and Livneh 1998;Qüesta et al 2010Qüesta et al , 2013Myakishev et al 2008;Morales et al 2003). The only reported mobilization in the Tc1/mariner superfamily is that of Ogasawara et al (2009) for the fungus A. oryzae.…”