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Non-autonomous mobile elements in the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
1Microbial Genomics Group Institute of Molecular Biology, Copenhagen University, Sølvgade 83H, Copenhagen K, 1307, Denmark.
Journal of Molecular Biology
|February 17, 2001
Summary
Short mobile elements, similar to eukaryal non-autonomous elements, were discovered in the Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 archaeon genome. These elements are likely mobile and transferable between organisms.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Archaeal biology
- Mobile genetic elements
Background:
- The genome of Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 harbors short sequence elements.
- These elements resemble eukaryal non-autonomous mobile elements but lack open reading frames.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the types, abundance, and mobility of short sequence elements in the S. solfataricus P2 genome.
- To investigate the potential mobilization and transfer mechanisms of these elements.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of the S. solfataricus P2 genome.
- Sequence identity comparison and copy number determination for identified elements.
- Analysis of element distribution and co-occurrence with insertion elements.
Main Results:
- Four types of short sequence elements (SM1-SM4) were identified, ranging in size and conservation.
- SM elements constitute approximately 0.6% of the genome, with copy numbers varying from 25 to 44 per class.
- Evidence suggests SM elements are mobile, mobilized by specific transposases from insertion elements (ISC1048, ISC1217, ISC1058, ISC1173).
Conclusions:
- SM elements are mobile genetic elements within the S. solfataricus P2 archaeal genome.
- Their mobility is likely mediated by host transposases, indicating potential horizontal gene transfer mechanisms.