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Inteins: structure, function, and evolution.

J Peter Gogarten1, Alireza G Senejani, Olga Zhaxybayeva

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 North Eagleville Road, Storrs 06269-3044, USA. gogarten@uconn.edu

Annual Review of Microbiology
|July 27, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Inteins are genetic elements found across all domains of life. This review explores their evolution, applications, and parasitic nature, highlighting their unique splicing and endonuclease activities.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Inteins are protein-splicing genetic elements that disrupt host gene coding sequences.
  • Unlike introns, inteins are transcribed and translated with their host proteins.
  • Inteins are prevalent in Archaea but found across all domains of life, viruses, and phages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolution and technical applications of inteins.
  • To summarize recent advances in intein catalytic activities and structures.
  • To explore the perspective of inteins as selfish or parasitic genetic elements.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on intein evolution and applications.
  • Summary of research on intein catalytic mechanisms and structures.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of inteins through the lens of selfish genetic elements.

    • Main Results:

    • Inteins possess two key domains: one for autocatalytic splicing and another for endonuclease activity.
    • The endonuclease domain is crucial for the propagation of inteins.
    • Viewing inteins as parasitic elements explains their biological characteristics.

    Conclusions:

    • Intein evolution and spread are influenced by their parasitic nature.
    • Understanding intein structure and function enables diverse technical applications.
    • Further research into intein catalytic activities and evolution is warranted.