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Molecular and Cellular Biology, September 1999, p. 6260-6268, Vol. 19, No. 9
0270-7306/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Involvement of DNA End-Binding Protein Ku in Ty Element Retrotransposition

Jessica A. Downs and Stephen P. Jackson*

Wellcome/CRC Institute and Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1QR, United Kingdom

Received 12 March 1999/Accepted 22 June 1999

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty elements are retrotransposons whose life cycles are strikingly similar to those of retroviruses. They transpose via an RNA intermediate that is converted to linear double-stranded cDNA and then inserted into the host genome. Although Ty integration is mediated by the element-encoded integrase, it has been proposed that host factors are involved in this process. Here, we show that the DNA end-binding protein Ku, which functions in DNA double-strand break repair, potentiates retrotransposition. Specifically, by using a galactose-inducible Ty1 system, we found that in vivo, Ty1 retrotransposition rates were substantially reduced in the absence of Ku. In contrast, this phenotype was not observed with yeast strains containing mutations in other genes that are involved in DNA repair. We present evidence that Ku associates with Ty1 viruslike particles both in vitro and in vivo. These results provide an additional role for Ku and suggest that it might function in the life cycles of retroelements in other systems.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Wellcome/CRC Institute and Department of Zoology, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge CB2 1QR, United Kingdom. Phone: (01223) 334 102 or 331 725. Fax: (01223) 334 089. E-mail: spj13{at}mole.bio.cam.ac.uk

Molecular and Cellular Biology, September 1999, p. 6260-6268, Vol. 19, No. 9
0270-7306/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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