Analysis of Tc1/mariner Transposable Element Protein Localization in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Genome-wide de novo Classification of Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements in Brassica rapa

Transposable elements (TEs) are segments of mobile DNA that have infiltrated genomes at significant levels.Tc1/mariner is a superfamily of class II TEs widespread in plants. Osmar elements are TEs previously shown to cross-mobilize small non-autonomous elements. Specifically, Osmar14 autonomous (Osmar14A) will cross-mobilize Stowaway MITEs (miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements). In a yeast transposition assay that Osmar14A displays decreased transposition when the nuclear export signal of the protein is mutated. A novel protein localization system has been devised that allows for protein visualization of fluorescently tagged proteins, such as Osmar14A. Additionally, a de novo analysis of miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements in Brassica rapa resulted in classification of 85 MITE families, corresponding to Tc1/mariner, hAT, CACTA and piggyBac. Classification of MITEs and TEs, such as Osmar14A is important for it allows for the development of genetic tools, as well as an understanding of the mechanisms behind hyperactive TEs, such as Osmar14A.M.Sc