A P element has induced intron formation in Drosophila

Mol Biol Evol. 1999 Nov;16(11):1503-10. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026062.

Abstract

We report evidence supporting the hypothesis that some introns could be originated from transposable elements. In the Drosophila montium species subgroup, we recently described a novel example of domestication by the host genome of a P transposable element. The element is a unique truncated P sequence transcribed into a polyadenylated RNA encoding a putative 66-kDa transposition repressor-like protein. Here, we analyze the genomic modifications associated with this transition of a transposable element into a stationary gene that is useful for the host. Study of the transcription modalities of this neogene reveals that the new transcriptional unit harbors a de novo synthesis of a new exon and a new intron upstream of the original P sequence initiation site. The new exon was constructed from the genomic flanking sequence of the P sequence, whereas the first half of the new intron is composed of genomic flanking sequence and the second half is composed of P sequence. This domestication event has involved the capture of a new promoter. An investigation of a large number of species belonging to the melanogaster species group revealed that this P element domestication is restricted to the species of the montium subgroup and that the new exon-intron structure is present in at least three other species. From sequence data, we hypothesize that cryptic acceptor and donor splicing sites present on the P element and flanking sequences have been under selective constraints which have led to the emergence of a new intron.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Introns*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Species Specificity
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF016036
  • GENBANK/AF016037
  • GENBANK/AF016038
  • GENBANK/AF169142
  • GENBANK/AF169143
  • GENBANK/AF169144
  • GENBANK/AF169145