Cited by 520Chromosomal and Genetic VariationsGenomic variations and chromosomal abnormalitiesGenomics and Chromatin Dynamics

Human L1 element target‐primed reverse transcription in vitro

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Cost, Gregory J., Feng, Qinghua, Jacquier, Alain, Boeke, Jef D.·2002·The EMBO Journal

Abstract

L1 elements are ubiquitous human transposons that replicate via an RNA intermediate. We have reconstituted the initial stages of L1 element transposition in vitro. The reaction requires only the L1 ORF2 protein, L1 3' RNA, a target DNA and appropriate buffer components. We detect branched molecules consisting of junctions between transposon 3' end cDNA and the target DNA, resulting from priming at a nick in the target DNA. 5' junctions of transposon cDNA and target DNA are also observed. The nicking and reverse transcription steps in the reaction can be uncoupled, as priming at pre-existing nicks and even double-strand breaks can occur. We find evidence for specific positioning of the L1 RNA with the ORF2 protein, probably mediated in part by the polyadenosine portion of L1 RNA. Polyguanosine, similar to a conserved region of the L1 3' UTR, potently inhibits L1 endonuclease (L1 EN) activity. L1 EN activity is also repressed in the context of the full-length ORF2 protein, but it and a second cryptic nuclease activity are released by ORF2p proteolysis. Additionally, heterologous RNA species such as Alu element RNA and L1 transcripts with 3' extensions are substrates for the reaction.

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Crossref · 10.1093/emboj/cdf592

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  • The L1 endonuclease nicks the bottom strand of genomic DNA at A/T-rich sites to initiate target-primed reverse transcription.

    “The endonuclease nicks the bottom strand of genomic DNA at A/T rich sites (TTTT/AA consensus) to initiate a process known as target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT) (Fig. 2)18.”

    From The role of retrotransposable elements in ageing and age-associated diseases (2021) · cites this paper as [18]

    The Introduction (page not specified in our copy) says L1 endonuclease nicks mainly at TpA and flanking bonds in TₙAₙ sequences. The paper’s description of TPRT (page not specified) says the nick exposes a 3′ hydroxyl that primes reverse transcription. These passages support the mechanism and A/T-rich targeting, but do not identify the nicked strand as the bottom strand or give TTTT/AA as the precise consensus. (LLM, conf=0.83)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Hutchison,C.A.,III, Hardies,S.C., Loeb,D.D., Shehee,W.R. and Edgell, M.H. (1989) LINEs and related retroposons: long interspersed repeated sequences in the eucaryotic genome. In Berg,D.E. and Howe,M.M. (eds), Mobile DNA. American Society of Microbiology, Washington, DC, pp. 593±617.
  2. Meuth,M. (1989) Illegitimate recombination in mammalian cells. In Berg,D.E. and Howe,M.M. (eds), Mobile DNA. American Society of Microbiology, Washington, DC, pp. 833±860.

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Authors
Cost, G. J., Feng, Q., Jacquier, A., & Boeke, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Boeke, Jef D.
Venue
The EMBO Journal
Published
2002-11-01
Volume
21
Issue
21
Pages
5899-5910
ISSN
  • 0261-4189 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2075
OpenAlex
W1965141089
Cited by
519
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 24
FWCI
21.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The EMBO Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Cancer Institute (CA-16519, P01CA016519)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
Keywords
target-primed reverse transcription, ORF2 protein, DNA nicking
MeSH terms
Base Sequence, DNA Transposable Elements, DNA Replication, Humans, Molecular Sequence Data, RNA, Transcription, Genetic, DNA, Complementary

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