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Related Experiment Videos

Self-splicing introns as a source for transposable genetic elements.

R E Hickson1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|November 8, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Retrotransposons and retroviruses may have evolved from self-splicing introns, challenging previous theories. This is supported by RNA intermediates, the ancient nature of splicing, and evidence from mitochondrial plasmids.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Previous theories proposed introns originated from transposable elements.
  • Self-splicing introns are genetic sequences capable of removing themselves from RNA transcripts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose an alternative evolutionary origin for retrotransposons and retroviruses.
  • To investigate the relationship between self-splicing introns and mobile genetic elements.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of conserved sequences in introns.
  • Phylogenetic distribution analysis of introns.
  • Examination of mitochondrial plasmids in Neurospora species.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests self-splicing introns may be ancestral to retrotransposons and retroviruses.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Conserved intron sequences and their wide distribution challenge the notion of introns descending from transposable elements.
  • Mitochondrial plasmids exhibit characteristics of both introns and retrotransposons, supporting an intron-to-mobile element origin.

    • Conclusions:

    • Self-splicing introns are likely a source of mobile genetic elements, including retrotransposons and retroviruses.
    • The evolutionary model posits introns as precursors rather than descendants of transposable elements.
    • Further research is warranted to explore the broader implications of introns as sources for various transposable elements.