# Co-expression of a retrotransposon and re-targeted restriction factor impairs yeast growth

## TL;DR

A study shows that when a yeast retrotransposon and a modified version of its restriction protein are both active, yeast growth is impaired.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that co-expression of a retrotransposon and a re-targeted restriction factor leads to impaired yeast growth.

## Key findings

- Co-expression of Ty1' retrotransposon and a re-targeted restriction factor variant impairs yeast growth.
- The restriction factor was engineered to target a different transposon subfamily.
- This effect suggests functional interactions between retrotransposons and restriction factors impact cellular processes.

## Abstract

Retrotransposons and retroviruses shape genome evolution and can negatively impact genome function.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
minimizes replication of Ty1 family retrotransposons using an inhibitory protein identical to the C-terminal domain of the transposon’s capsid protein. We previously elucidated the molecular basis of restriction and subfamily specific targeting and engineered a re-targeted restriction factor. Here, we report that co-expression of the Ty1' retrotransposon and a variant of its restriction factor mutated to re-target a related transposon subfamily impairs yeast growth.