Transposable element insertions in fission yeast drive adaptation to environmental stress.

ABSTRACT: Cells are regularly exposed to a range of naturally occurring stress that can restrict growth or cause lethality. In response, cells activate expression networks with hundreds of genes that together increase resistance to common environmental insults. However, stress response networks can be insufficient to ensure survival, which raises the question of whether cells possess genetic programs that can promote adaptation to novel forms of stress. We found transposable element (TE) mobility in Schizosaccharomyces pombe was greatly increased when cells were exposed to unusual forms of stress such as heavy metals, caffeine, and the plasticizer phthalate. By subjecting TE-tagged cells to CoCl₂, we found the TE integration provided the major path to resistance. Groups of insertio

SUBMITTER: Esnault C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6314160 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature