Expression of Drosophila virilis Retroelements and Role of Small RNAs in Their Intrastrain Transposition
2011

Transposition of Drosophila virilis Retroelements and Small RNAs

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Rozhkov Nikolay V., Zelentsova Elena S., Shostak Natalia G., Evgen'ev Michael B.

Primary Institution: Institute of Molecular Biology, Moscow, Russia

Hypothesis

How do small RNAs influence the transposition of retroelements in Drosophila virilis?

Conclusion

The study found that the transposition of the retroelements Penelope and Ulysses in Drosophila virilis is controlled predominantly at the post-transcriptional level.

Supporting Evidence

  • Penelope and Ulysses transpositions were observed in Drosophila virilis strains.
  • Different small RNA populations were found to be associated with the transposons.
  • Transcription levels of Ulysses and gypsyDv were similar in both strains.

Takeaway

This study looks at how certain genes can move around in the DNA of fruit flies and how tiny RNA molecules help control this movement.

Methodology

The researchers used in situ hybridization and RNA analysis to study the transposition of retroelements in different strains of Drosophila virilis.

Limitations

The study did not explore the transposition of other TEs mobilized by dysgenic crosses.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021883

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