Int J Biol Sci 2012; 8(7):1055-1061. doi:10.7150/ijbs.4460 This issue Cite
Short Research Communication
1. Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary
2. Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709 USA
† Developmental Biology Center, University of California, Irvine CA 92697 USA.
Telomere length in Drosophila is maintained by targeted transposition of three non-LTR retrotransposons: HeT-A, TART and TAHRE (HTT), but understanding the regulation of this process is hindered by our poor knowledge of HTT associated proteins. We have identified new protein components of the HTT array: Chromator (Chro), the TRF2/DREF complex and the sumoylation machinery. Chro was localized on telomeric HTT arrays by immunostaining, where it may interact with Prod directly, as indicated by yeast two-hybrid interaction, co-IP, and colocalization on polytene chromosomes. The TRF2/DREF complex may promote the open structure of HTT chromatin. The protein interactions controlling HTT chromatin structure and telomere length may be modulated by sumoylation.
Keywords: chromatin, Chromator, prod, putzig, Z4, sumoylation, telomere, Drosophila, retrotransposon