Cytological visualization of DNA transposons and their transposition pattern in somatic cells of maize

• Published in: Genetics (Austin) Vol. 175; no. 1; pp. 31 - 39
• Main Authors: Yu, Weichang, Lamb, Jonathan C, Han, Fangpu, Birchler, James A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Genetics Society of America 01.01.2007; Copyright © 2007 by the Genetics Society of America
• Subjects: Cellular biology; Corn; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA Transposable Elements - genetics; DNA, Plant - genetics; Genes; Genetic Markers; Genomics; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Investigations; Molecular biology; Plasmids; Transposases - genetics; Transposases - metabolism; Zea mays; Zea mays - genetics; Zea mays - growth & development
• ISSN: 0016-6731; 1943-2631; 1943-2631
• DOI: 10.1534/genetics.106.064238

Global genomic analysis of transposable element distributions of both natural (En/Spm, Ac-Ds, and MuDR/Mu) and modified (RescueMu) types was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on somatic chromosomes coupled with karyotyping of each chromosome. In lines without an active transposable element, the locations of silent En/Spm, Ac-Ds, and MuDR/Mu elements were visualized, revealing variation in copy number and position among lines but no apparent locational bias. The ability to detect single elements was validated by using previously mapped active Ac elements. Somatic transpositions were documented in plants containing an engineered Mutator element, RescueMu, via use of the karyotyping system. By analyzing the RescueMu lines, we found that transposition of RescueMu in root-tip cells follows the cut-and-paste type of transposition. This work demonstrates the utility of FISH and karyotyping in the study of transposon activity and its consequences.