Maize transposable element Ds is differentially spliced from primary transcripts in endosperm and suspension cells

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Aug 11;261(3):798-801. doi: 10.1006/bbrc.1999.1119.

Abstract

The process by which transposable elements are spliced from the host gene transcripts remains poorly understood. We previously reported that a maize transposable element Ds (dissociation) and a copy of its host site duplication are perfectly spliced from the shrunken-2 transcript in the endosperm. Here, we have monitored splicing of the Ds element and its flanking Sh2 sequence following transient expression in maize suspension cells. The pattern of Ds splicing in suspension cells differs dramatically from that in the endosperm. In contrast to splicing in the endosperm, Ds in suspension cells was completely spliced from the transcripts using multiple donor and acceptor splice sites outside the element. In addition, noncanonical splice sites were utilized in suspension cells. Our results indicate that this difference in splicing is due to the context of Ds placement in the construct and/or to tissue specific differences in splicing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
  • Glucose-1-Phosphate Adenylyltransferase
  • Nucleotidyltransferases / genetics
  • RNA Splicing*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Zea mays / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Nucleotidyltransferases
  • Glucose-1-Phosphate Adenylyltransferase