Conserved and divergent DNA recognition specificities and functions of R2 retrotransposon N-terminal domains.

ABSTRACT: R2 non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are among the most extensively distributed mobile genetic elements in multicellular eukaryotes and show promise for applications in transgene supplementation of the human genome. They insert new gene copies into a conserved site in 28S ribosomal DNA with exquisite specificity. R2 clades are defined by the number of zinc fingers (ZFs) at the N terminus of the retrotransposon-encoded protein, postulated to additively confer DNA site specificity. Here, we illuminate general principles of DNA recognition by R2 N-terminal domains across and between clades, with extensive, specific recognition requiring only one or two compact domains. DNA-binding and protection assays demonstrate broadly shared as well as clade-specific DNA interactions. Ge

SUBMITTER: Lee RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11204384 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature