Data from: Regulation of transposable elements: interplay between TE-encoded regulatory sequences and host-specific trans-acting factors in Drosophila melanogaster

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic elements that can move around the genome and their expression is one precondition for this mobility. Because the insertion of TEs in new genomic positions is largely deleterious, the molecular mechanisms for transcriptional suppression have been extensively studied. In contrast, very little is known about their primary transcriptional regulation. Here, we characterize the expression dynamics of TE families in Drosophila melanogaster across a broad temperature range (13-29°C). In 71% of the expressed TE families the expression is modulated by temperature. We show that this temperature dependent regulation is specific for TE families and strongly affected by the genetic background. We deduce that TEs carry family-specific regulatory sequences, which are targeted by host-specific trans-acting factors, such as transcription factors. Consistent with the widespread dominant inheritance of gene expression, we also find prevailing dominance of TE family expression. We conclude that TE family expression across a range of temperatures is regulated by an interaction between TE family specific regulatory elements and trans-acting factors of the host.

转座因子（Transposable elements, TEs）是一类可在基因组内移动的遗传元件，其表达是该移动性得以实现的前提之一。由于转座因子插入新基因组位置大多会产生有害效应，学界已对其转录抑制的分子机制开展了广泛且深入的研究。与之形成鲜明对比的是，目前人们对转座因子的初级转录调控机制却知之甚少。

本研究对黑腹果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）中各转座因子家族在13℃至29℃的宽泛温度区间内的表达动态进行了系统表征。结果显示，71%的已表达转座因子家族的表达水平会受到温度的调控。我们证实，这种温度依赖性调控具有转座因子家族特异性，且受宿主遗传背景的强烈影响。

我们由此推断，转座因子携带有家族特异性的调控序列，这些序列可被宿主特异性的反式作用因子（trans-acting factors），如转录因子（transcription factors）所靶向结合。与基因表达普遍存在显性遗传的现象一致，我们同样发现转座因子家族的表达也主要呈现显性特征。

综上，在一定温度范围内，转座因子家族的表达是通过转座因子家族特异性调控元件与宿主反式作用因子之间的相互作用来实现调控的。