RNA triple helix assembled by the poly(A) tail enhances retrotransposon mobilization by preventing RNA deadenylation.

ABSTRACT: Transposable elements (TEs), ubiquitous mobile DNAs, are largely repressed by cellular mechanisms such as epigenetic silencing and RNA decay, yet some retain the ability to transpose. The Arabidopsis long terminal repeat retrotransposon Copia93, also known as Evade, exhibits exceptionally high transpositional activity, but the mechanism underlying its extraordinary mobility remains unclear. Here, we identify an Element for Nuclear Expression (ENE) motif within the 3' UTR of Evade that forms a triple helical RNA structure with the poly(A) tail, shielding the transcript from deadenylation and degradation. Deletion of the ENE motif significantly reduces Evade transcript stability, extrachromosomal DNA levels, and de novo insertions. Furthermore, we show that

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12501189 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature