Berezikov E, Bucheton A, Busseau I
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Prospect Lavrentjeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.
Genome Biol. 2000;1(6):RESEARCH0012. doi: 10.1186/gb-2000-1-6-research0012. Epub 2000 Dec 4.
Non-long terminal repeat (non-LTR) retrotransposons are eukaryotic mobile genetic elements that transpose by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate. We have performed a systematic search for sequences matching the characteristic reverse transcriptase domain of non-LTR retrotransposons in the sequenced regions of the Drosophila melanogaster genome.
In addition to previously characterized BS, Doc, F, G, I and Jockey elements, we have identified new non-LTR retrotransposons: Waldo, You and JuanDm. Waldo elements are related to mosquito RTI elements. You to the Drosophila I factor, and JuanDm to mosquito Juan-A and Juan-C. Interestingly, all JuanDm elements are highly homogeneous in sequence, suggesting that they are recent components of the Drosophila genome.
The genome of D. melanogaster contains at least ten families of non-site-specific non-LTR retrotransposons representing three distinct clades. Many of these families contain potentially active members. Fine evolutionary analyses must await the more accurate sequences that are expected in the next future.
非长末端重复(non-LTR)逆转座子是真核生物中的可移动遗传元件,通过RNA中间体的逆转录进行转座。我们在黑腹果蝇基因组的测序区域中对与非LTR逆转座子特征性逆转录酶结构域匹配的序列进行了系统搜索。
除了先前已鉴定的BS、Doc、F、G、I和Jockey元件外,我们还鉴定了新的非LTR逆转座子:Waldo、You和JuanDm。Waldo元件与蚊子的RTI元件相关,You与果蝇的I因子相关,而JuanDm与蚊子的Juan-A和Juan-C相关。有趣的是,所有JuanDm元件在序列上高度同源,这表明它们是果蝇基因组的近期组成部分。
黑腹果蝇的基因组包含至少十个非位点特异性非LTR逆转座子家族,代表三个不同的进化枝。这些家族中的许多都包含潜在活跃的成员。精细的进化分析必须等待未来更准确的序列。