Angelina Sun, Steve Lazar and Klaudia Poplawski

Abstract:

Retrotransposons are transposable DNA elements which are found in most eukaryotic genomes, and undergo a process of copying and “pasting” themselves in their host’s genome. Previous literature shows that retrotransposition rates increase with age in many organisms. The Ty1 retrotransposon is active early during aging in yeast, and it is known from previous literature that cytosolic pH also increases very early during aging, showing a possible link between cytosolic pH, retrotransposition, and aging. We tested three yeast mutants : two prevented cells from making active proton pumps and the third of a G-protein. Our results are consistent with increased cytosolic pH in aging cells leading to increased retrotransposition during aging.