RNA和逆转座对进化新特征的贡献。

The contribution of RNAs and retroposition to evolutionary novelties.

作者信息

Brosius Jürgen

机构信息

Institute of Experimental Pathology, ZMBE, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, Münster, Germany.

出版信息

Genetica. 2003 Jul;118(2-3):99-116.

PMID:12868601

Abstract

Retroposition is an ancient process dating back to the conversion of RNA to DNA genomes. Nevertheless, it continues to make tremendous structural and functional contributions to extant genomes. This process and the endurance, or even renaissance, of an RNA world in many lineages sheds a new light on the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology. The question of why reverse transcriptase has survived billions of years without an apparent cellular function is discussed. Retroposition constitutes one of the pervasive conflicts, in this case between host genome on one hand and mobile genetic elements on the other, that fuel the evolutionary process. It is obvious that retroposition has, thus far, contributed numerous useful novelties to genomes.

摘要

逆转座是一个古老的过程，可追溯到RNA转化为DNA基因组的时期。然而，它仍在为现存基因组做出巨大的结构和功能贡献。这一过程以及RNA世界在许多谱系中的延续，甚至复兴，为分子生物学的中心法则提供了新的视角。文中讨论了逆转录酶为何能在数十亿年里存活下来却没有明显细胞功能的问题。逆转座构成了普遍存在的冲突之一，在这种情况下，一方面是宿主基因组，另一方面是移动遗传元件，它们推动了进化过程。显然，到目前为止，逆转座已为基因组贡献了许多有用的新特性。