Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology 1998
College Park, Maryland
August 1998

Name: Moore, Sharon P.
Mailing Address: Mobile Genetic Elements, ABL-FCRDC, PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
Email Address: moores@fcrfv2.ncifcrf.gov
Phone and Fax numbers: 301-846-5757, 301-846-6911

443

A Ty1 integrase nuclear localization signal required for retrotransposition.


Sharon Moore (1) , Lori Rinckel (2), David J. Garfinkel (1)
(1) ABL-Basic Research Program, NCI-FCRDC, Frederick, MD 21701-1201; (2) Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, MD

Ty1 retrotransposition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires integrase (IN)-mediated insertion of Ty1 cDNA into the host genome. The transposition components are assembled in the cytoplasm and must cross the nuclear envelope to reach the genomic target since the yeast cell nuclear membrane remains intact throughout the cell cycle. We have identified a bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) in IN that directs IN to the nucleus and is required for Ty1 transposition. Mutations in the NLS that specifically abolish nuclear localization inactivate transpositional integration but do not affect reverse transcription, protein processing, or catalytic activity in vitro. No additional Ty1-encoded proteins are required for IN nuclear localization. Intragenic complementation experiments suggest that Ty1 IN functions as a multimer and contains at least two distinct domains, one required for strand transfer and the other for nuclear localization. This research was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute under a contract with ABL.

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