PXD061763

PXD061763 is an original dataset announced via ProteomeXchange.

Title	Direct cell-to-cell transmission of retrotransposons
Description	Transposable elements are abundant in host genomes but are generally considered to be confined to the cell in which they are expressed, with the notable exception of endogenous retroviruses. Here, we identify a group of LTR retrotransposons that infect the germline from somatic cells within the Drosophila ovary, despite lacking the fusogenic Envelope protein typically required for retroviral entry. Instead, these elements encode a short transmembrane protein, sORF2, with structural features reminiscent of viral cell-cell fusogens. Through genetics, imaging, and electron microscopy, we show that sORF2 localizes to invasive somatic protrusions, enabling the direct transfer of retrotransposon capsids into the oocyte. Remarkably, sORF2-like proteins are widespread among insect retrotransposons and also occur in piscine nackednaviruses and avian picornaviruses. These findings reveal a noncanonical, Envelope-independent transmission mechanism shared by retrotransposons and non-enveloped viruses, offering important insights into host-pathogen evolution and soma-germline interactions.
HostingRepository	PRIDE
AnnounceDate	2025-03-21
AnnouncementXML	Submission_2025-03-21_00:19:10.108.xml
DigitalObjectIdentifier
ReviewLevel	Peer-reviewed dataset
DatasetOrigin	Original dataset
RepositorySupport	Unsupported dataset by repository
PrimarySubmitter	Richard Imre
SpeciesList	scientific name: Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit fly); NCBI TaxID: 7227;
ModificationList	methylthiolated residue; monohydroxylated residue; deamidated residue
Instrument	Orbitrap Eclipse; Q Exactive HF

Revision	Datetime	Status	ChangeLog Entry
0	2025-03-12 08:53:49	ID requested
⏵ 1	2025-03-21 00:19:10	announced

10.1101/2025.03.14.642691;

submitter keyword: endogenous retroviruses, infectivity, Drosophila,Transposable elements, ovaries

Julius Brennecke
contact affiliation	Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC); Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
contact email	julius.brennecke@imba.oeaw.ac.at
lab head
Richard Imre
contact affiliation	IMBA Vienna
contact email	richard.imre@imba.oeaw.ac.at
dataset submitter

Dataset FTP location NOTE: Most web browsers have now discontinued native support for FTP access within the browser window. But you can usually install another FTP app (we recommend FileZilla) and configure your browser to launch the external application when you click on this FTP link. Or otherwise, launch an app that supports FTP (like FileZilla) and use this address: ftp://ftp.pride.ebi.ac.uk/pride/data/archive/2025/03/PXD061763

PRIDE project URI

• PRIDE
  1. PXD061763
     1. Label: PRIDE project
     2. Name: Direct cell-to-cell transmission of retrotransposons