# Assay of Ds2 Transposition Activity in the Maize W22

## TL;DR

The study examines the transposition activity of Ds2 elements in the maize W22 line, finding that most are immobile and only one shows possible somatic transposition.

## Contribution

The study identifies structural integrity and DNA methylation as insufficient predictors of Ds2 transposition variation in W22.

## Key findings

- Most Ds2 elements in W22 are immobile, with only Ds2-23 showing possible somatic transposition.
- Ac transposase reduces methylation but does not fully explain transposition activity variation.
- Structural integrity and DNA methylation alone cannot predict Ds2 transposition in W22.

## Abstract

Ds
elements are non-autonomous DNA transposons requiring
Ac
transposase for mobility. From the 39
Ds2
elements reported in B73, we identified 38
Ds2
homologous elements in the W22, 30 of which retained intact terminal inverted repeats and target site duplications. PCR-based excision assays on 19 loci in embryos and leaves revealed the majority are immobile; only
Ds2-23
showed suggestive somatic transposition. Targeted bisulfite sequencing revealed that while
Ac
reduces methylation, absolute levels remain stable and do not correspond to the varied transposition activities. This suggests structural integrity or DNA methylation alone does not predict
Ds2
transposition variation in W22.