Regulation and consequences of retrotransposition during quiescence in budding yeast

Abstract

More people are surviving into old age than ever before, and so the incidence rate of aging-related diseases is expected to increase as populations around the world age. After several decades of research into the fundamental causes of aging numerous questions remain. Retrotransposons, a type of mobile genetic element, are found in the genome of virtually every eukaryotic species examined. Expression and mobility of retrotransposons increases over the course of aging in eukaryotes. Whether retrotransposons are a contributor to or a byproduct of the aging process remains unclear. Quiescence, a state of reversible cellular arrest, protects cells from stress and preserves reproductive capacity during aging. Dysfunction over the course of aging is in part due to an inability to properly regulate entry or exit from quiescence. Reports suggest that while retrotransposon activity may interfere with entry or maintenance of quiescence, quiescence may also act to inhibit the activity of retrotransposons. Here we use budding yeast to directly investigate the regulation and consequences of retrotransposons on quiescence using budding yeast.