Impact of ionizing radiation on the life cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty1 retrotransposon

Ty1 elements, LTR-retrotransposons of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are known to be activated by genetic and environmental stress. Several DNA-damaging agents have been shown to increase both Ty1 transcription and retrotransposition. To explore further the relationship between Ty1 mobility and DNA damage, we have studied the impact of ionizing radiation at different steps of the Ty1 life cycle. We have shown that Ty1 transposition is strongly activated by gamma-irradiation and we have analysed its effect on Ty1 transcription, TyA1 protein and Ty1 cDNA levels. The activation of transposition rises with increasing doses of gamma-rays and is stronger for Ty1 elements than for the related Ty2 elements. Ty1 RNA levels are markedly elevated upon irradiation; however, no significant increase of TyA1 protein was detected as measured by TYA1-lacZ fusions and by Western blot. A moderate increase in Ty1 cDNA levels was also observed, indicating that ionizing radiation can induce the synthesis of Ty1 cDNA. In diploid cells and ste12 mutants, where both Ty1 transcription and transposition are repressed, gamma-irradiation is able to activate Ty1 transposition and increases Ty1 RNA levels. These results suggest the existence of a specific regulatory pathway involved in Ty1 response to the gamma-irradiation that would be independent of Ste12 and mating-type factors. Our findings also indicate that ionizing radiation acts on several steps of the Ty1 life cycle. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.