Reverse transcriptase encoded by a human transposable element

Stephen L. Mathias, Alan F. Scott, Haig H. Kazazian, Jef D. Boeke, Abram Gabriel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

L1 elements are highly repeated mammalian DNA sequences whose structure suggests dispersal by retrotransposition. A consensus L1 element encodes a protein with sequence similarity to known reverse transcriptases. The second open reading frame from the human L1 element L1.2A was expressed as a fusion protein targeted to Tyl virus-like particles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and shown to have reverse transcriptase activity. This activity was eliminated by a missense mutation in the highly conserved amino acid motif Y/F-X-D-D. Thus, L1 represents a potential source of the reverse transcriptase activity necessary for dispersion of the many classes of mammalian retroelements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1808-1810
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume254
Issue number5039
DOIs
StatePublished - 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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