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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
09:40
Novel Sequence Discovery by Subtractive Genomics
Published on: January 25, 2019
Analysis of invariant sequences in 266 complete genomes
Naohisa Goto1, Ken Kurokawa, Teruo Yasunaga
1Department of Genome Informatics, Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. ngoto@gen-info.osaka-u.ac.jp
Gene
|August 31, 2007
Summary
Researchers identified conserved DNA and amino acid sequences across 266 organisms, suggesting these invariant sequences are ancient and essential, inherited from the last common ancestor of all life.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Over 250 complete genome sequences are now available.
- This enables the search for universally conserved sequences across all life forms.
- Such sequences may represent essential elements inherited from the last common ancestor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify invariant DNA and amino acid sequences conserved across a wide range of organisms.
- To investigate the evolutionary significance of these conserved sequences.
Main Methods:
- Development of novel software for identifying invariant sequences.
- Analysis of complete genome sequences from 266 diverse organisms.
- Comparative genomics to detect conserved DNA and amino acid patterns.
Main Results:
- Identification of 3 invariant DNA sequences (≥11 bp) and 6 invariant amino acid sequences (≥6 aa).
- The longest invariant DNA sequence (15 bp, AAGTCGTACAAGGT) was found in the 16S/18S rRNA gene.
- Longest invariant amino acid sequences (8 aa) include GHVDHGKT (in IF2 and EF-Tu) and DTPGHVDF (in EF-G).
Conclusions:
- Invariant sequences likely represent critical elements from the last common ancestor.
- These sequences have remained unchanged due to essential functions throughout evolution.
- Provides insights into the fundamental building blocks of life.
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