Genetic mapping of Ty elements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We used transformation to insert a selectable marker at various sites in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome occupied by the transposable element Ty. The vector CV9 contains the LEU2+ gene and a portion of the repeated element Ty1-17. Transformation with this plasmid resulted in integration of the vector via a reciprocal exchange using homology at the LEU2 locus or at the various Ty elements that are dispersed throughout the S. cerevisiae genome. These transformants were used to map genetically sites of several Ty elements. The 24 transformants recovered at Ty sites define 19 distinct loci. Seven of these were placed on the genetic map. Two classes of Ty elements were identified in these experiments: a Ty1-17 class and Ty elements different from Ty1-17. Statistical analysis of the number of transformants at each class of Ty elements shows that there is preferential integration of the CV9 plasmid into the Ty1-17 class.     

The urea amidolyase (DUR1,2) gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The DNA sequence of the urea amidolyase (DUR1,2) gene from S. cerevisiae has been determined. The polypeptide structure deduced from the DNA sequence contains 1,835 amino acid residues and possesses a calculated weight of 201,665 daltons which favorably correlates with that predicted from compositional analysis of purified protein (1,881 amino acid residues and a molecular weight of 203,900). The C-terminal 57 residues of the polypeptide exhibit significant homology with similarly situated sequences found in five other biotin carboxylases whose primary structures have been determined or deduced from protein and DNA sequence data, respectively. Major S1 nuclease protection fragments derived from DUR1,2 RNA-DNA hybrids exhibit apparent termini at positions -140 and -141 upstream of the coding region. The termini of minor protection fragments also occur at eleven other positions as well.     

The population biology and evolutionary significance of Ty elements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The basic structure and properties of Ty elements are considered with special reference to their role as agents of evolutionary change. Ty elements may generate genetic variation for fitness by their action as mutagens, as well as by providing regions of portable homology for recombination. The mutational spectra generated by Ty 1 transposition events may, due to their target specificity and gene regulatory capabilities, possess a higher frequency of adaptively favorable mutations than spectra resulting from other types of mutational processes. Laboratory strains contain between 25–35 elements, and in both these and industrial strains the insertions appear quite stable. In contrast, a wide variation in Ty number is seen in wild isolates, with a lower average number/genome. Factors which may determine Ty copy number in populations include transposition rates (dependent on Ty copy number and mating type), and stabilization of Ty elements in the genome as well as selection for and against Ty insertions in the genome. Although the average effect of Ty transpositions are deleterious, populations initiated with a single clone containing a single Ty element steadily accumulated Ty elements over 1,000 generations. Direct evidence that Ty transposition events can be selectively favored is provided by experiments in which populations containing large amounts of variability for Ty1 copy number were maintained for 100 generations in a homogeneous environment. At their termination, the frequency of clones containing 0 Ty elements had decreased to 0.0, and the populations had became dominated by a small number of clones containing >0 Ty elements. No such reduction in variability was observed in populations maintained in a structured environment, though changes in Ty number were observed. The implications of genetic (mating type and ploidy) changes and environmental fluctuations for the long-term persistence of Ty elements within the S. cerevisiae species group are discussed.     

Ectopic recombination between Ty elements in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not induced by DNA damage.

Mitotic recombination is increased when cells are treated with a variety of physical and chemical agents that cause damage to their DNA. We show here, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that carry marked Ty elements, that recombination between members of this family of retrotransposons is not increased by UV irradiation or by treatment with the radiomimetic drug methyl methanesulfonate. Both ectopic recombination and mutation events were elevated by these agents for non-Ty sequences in the same strain. We discuss possible mechanisms that can prevent the induction of recombination between Ty elements.     

Non-random distribution of the Ty1 elements within nuclear DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ty1 homologous sequences appear to be non-randomly distributed among different density classes of nuclear yeast DNA. Characteristic patterns of Ty1 containing EcoRI fragments can be generated from the various DNA fractions. The sequences are particularly enriched in the A + T rich part of the main nuclear DNA fraction, while the frequency in the rDNA containing heavy satellite DNA is low. The transposon however, seems to be present in this dense fraction, at least for some strains.