8VWG

Structure of the Drosophila retrotransposon Copia capsid

Summary for 8VWG

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb8vwg/pdb
• Related: 8VVW 8VVZ 8VW3
• EMDB information: 43571 43573 43575 43584
• Descriptor: Copia VLP protein (1 entity in total)
• Functional Keywords: drosophila retrotransposon copia, virus like particle, gag protein
• Biological source: Drosophila (fruit flies)
• Total number of polymer chains: 9
• Total formula weight: 280340.91

Authors

Liu, Y.,Kelch, B.A. (deposition date: 2024-02-01, release date: 2025-02-12, Last modification date: 2025-04-09)

Primary citation

M'Angale, P.G.,Lemieux, A.,Liu, Y.,Wang, S.,Zinter, M.,Alegre, G.,Simkin, A.,Budnik, V.,Kelch, B.A.,Thomson, T.
Capsid transfer of the retrotransposon Copia controls structural synaptic plasticity in Drosophila.
Plos Biol., 23:e3002983-e3002983, 2025

PubMed Abstract: Transposons are parasitic genome elements that can also serve as raw material for the evolution of new cellular functions. However, how retrotransposons are selected and domesticated by host organisms to modulate synaptic plasticity remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the Ty1 retrotransposon Copia forms virus-like capsids in vivo and transfers between cells. Copia is enriched at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and transported across synapses, and disrupting its expression promotes both synapse development and structural synaptic plasticity. We show that proper synaptic plasticity is maintained in Drosophila by the balance of Copia and the Arc1 (activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein) homolog. High-resolution cryogenic-electron microscopy imaging shows that the structure of the Copia capsid has a large capacity and pores like retroviruses but is distinct from domesticated capsids such as dArc1. Our results suggest a fully functional transposon mediates synaptic plasticity, possibly representing an early stage of domestication of a retrotransposon.

PubMed: 39964983
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002983

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (4.17 Å)