MATE transposable elements in Aspergillus nidulans: evidence of repeat-induced point mutation

Abstract

The sequences of five MATE transposable elements were retrieved from the Aspergillus nidulans genome sequence. These elements are 6.1 kb in length and are characterized by 9-10 bp target site duplications, paired approximately 40 bp palindromes close to each end, and in the unmutated elements, 57 clustered Spe-motifs (RWCTAGWY) scattered through their length. Short open reading frames have no known homology. Two of the MATE elements have numerous C --> T transitions on both DNA strands relative to the remaining three elements. These mutations have all the characteristics of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) previously described in Neurospora crassa, but not experimentally demonstrated in A. nidulans. Ninety-eight percent of mutated cytosines are in CpG and CpA doublets, the former mutating at higher frequency.