Transposable element insertion sequencing in the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonas vaginalis

We have developed Transposon Display sequencing (TD-Seq), a sequencing method that selectively amplifies transposable element (TE) families and their adjacent regions. We applied TD-seq to 15 isolates of the sexually transmitted parasite Trichomonad vaginalis in order to characterize TE insertion variation. We found multiple polymorphic insertions of Mariner and Maverick TEs families with intermediate frequencies and differing impacts on gene expression. We concluded that TEs play a role in the parasite's capacity to regulate gene expression.