A YY1-binding site is required for accurate human LINE-1 transcription initiation.
The initial step in Long Interspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposition requires transcription from an internal promoter located within its 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Previous studies have identified a YY1 (Yin Yang 1)-binding site as an important sequence in LINE-1 transcription. Here, we demonstrate that mutations in the YY1-binding site have only minor effects on transcription activation of the full-length 5'-UTR and LINE-1 mobility in a single round cultured cell retrotransposition assay. Instead, these mutations disrupt proper initiation of transcription from the +1 site of the 5'-UTR. Thus, we propose that the YY1-binding site functions as a component of the LINE-1 core promoter to direct accurate transcription initiation. Indeed, this sequence may explain the evolutionary success of LINE-1 by enabling full-length retrotransposed copies to undergo autonomous retrotransposition in subsequent generations.
Athanikar
Jyoti N
JN
Department of Human Genetics, The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0618, USA.
Badge
Richard M
RM
Moran
John V
JV
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D006801:Humans; D020084:Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009154:Mutation; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D050981:Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors; D050986:YY1 Transcription Factor; C494698:YY1 protein, human