Originally published as Genetics Published Articles Ahead of Print on July 27, 2008.

Genetics, Vol. 179, 2313-2317, August 2008, Copyright © 2008
doi:10.1534/genetics.108.089052

Incorporation of Y'-Ty1 cDNA Destabilizes Telomeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Telomerase-Negative Mutants

Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Wadsworth Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, New York 12201-2002

1 Corresponding author: Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Wadsworth Center, P. O. Box 22002, Albany, NY 12201-2002.
E-mail: curcio{at}wadsworth.org

Ty1 retrotransposons in Saccharomyces cerevisiae are activated by telomere erosion. Ty1-dependent reverse transcription of mRNA from subtelomeric Y' repeats generates chimeric Y'-Ty1 cDNA. Here, we show that Y'-Ty1 cDNA is incorporated at eroding telomeres in the absence of telomerase. Telomeric incorporation of Y'-Ty1 cDNA promotes genome rearrangements.