Elucidation of a novel regulatory mechanism of transposon transposition

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06008
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43010:Molecular biology-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Hidetaka 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 准教授 (70582295)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: トランスポゾン / エピジェネティクス / シロイヌナズナ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Transposons and repetitive sequences are usually suppressed by DNA methylation or histone modifications, preventing transposition. However, our previous study found that ONSEN transposition efficiency and frequency do not always correlate with transcription levels, suggesting other factors are involved in its regulation. We identified a mutant, screen1, where ONSEN transcription levels are unchanged from the wild type, but transgenerational transposition occurs. This indicates a novel regulatory mechanism at the genomic insertion level. We screened candidate genes for this mechanism but found no ONSEN transposition. The causative factor for screen1 is located between 5.3 Mb and 8.9 Mb on chromosome 3, and we are currently analyzing TED-seq results to identify the responsible genes.

Free Research Field

植物分子遺伝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、トランスポゾンの転移制御メカニズムを解明し、ゲノムの安定性や進化の理解を深める点にある。特にエピジェネティクス非依存的な制御機構の解明は新たな視点を提供し、植物の環境応答メカニズムの理解に寄与する。社会的意義としては、高温ストレスに強い作物の育成に役立ち、気候変動対策に貢献するほか、遺伝子編集技術の安全性向上にも寄与する。また、生物多様性や進化の理解を促進する。