Alexander Dumas and Angelina Sun

Abstract:

Retrotransposons are mobile DNA elements found in most eukaryotic genomes and undergo a process of copying and “pasting” themselves into their host genome. Previous literature has shown that retrotransposition rates increase with age in many different organisms. The Ty1 retrotransposon is highly active early during aging in baker’s yeast, and previous research has shown that cytosolic pH increases very early on during aging, indicating that changes in cytosolic pH levels could regulate retrotransposition during aging. Previously, we observed that two proton pumps in yeast are required for normal levels of Ty1 retrotransposition, supporting a connection between pH, retrotransposons, and aging.  Currently, we are testing how the activity of the proton pumps affect the retrotransposition cycle of Ty1.