THE RNA PRODUCT OF THE DOC RETROTRANSPOSON IS LOCALIZED ON THE DROSOPHILA OOCYTE CYTOSKELETON

The Doc retrotransposon of Drosophila melanogaster encodes an RNA with two open reading frames (ORFs). ORF1 encodes an RNA-binding protein a nd overlaps with ORF2, which encodes a reverse transcriptase. Retrotra nsposons transpose to new positions in the genome via a full-length RN A intermediate. Because they do not encode a coat protein, transpositi on is limited to single cell lineages. In this paper we present eviden ce that shows that the highest levels of Doc transcripts are found in the adult male and female germ-line. The Doc RNA is localized in the r egion of the cytoskeleton of the Drosophila oocyte. The biological sig nificance of this is unknown, but we discuss some of the possibilities .