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A functional difference between native and horizontally acquired genes in bdelloid rotifers
Elton G G Barbosa1, Alastair Crisp1, Sarah E Broadbent1
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3RA, United Kingdom.
Gene
|June 18, 2016
Summary
Spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is a key RNA processing event in bdelloid rotifers. This study reveals that while foreign genes can undergo SL trans-splicing, it occurs less frequently than for native genes.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing is an RNA processing mechanism where a conserved SL sequence is added to mRNA.
- Bdelloid rotifers possess a high proportion of foreign genes acquired through horizontal gene transfer.
- The functional equivalence of foreign and native genes in bdelloids regarding SL trans-splicing remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether foreign genes in bdelloid rotifers undergo SL trans-splicing.
- To compare the SL trans-splicing efficiency of foreign versus native genes in bdelloids.
- To determine if SL trans-splicing is essential for the expression of horizontally acquired genes.
Main Methods:
- Combined experimental and computational approaches were employed.
- Analysis of SL sequence presence in transcripts of both foreign and native genes.
- Comparison of splice acceptor sequences and alternative trans-splicing events.
Main Results:
- Many foreign gene transcripts in bdelloids contain SL sequences and utilize similar splice acceptor sites as native genes.
- Alternative trans-splicing was observed in both foreign and native transcripts.
- A significantly lower proportion of foreign mRNAs contained SL sequences compared to native transcripts.
Conclusions:
- A functional difference exists between foreign and native genes in bdelloid rotifers concerning SL trans-splicing.
- SL trans-splicing is not indispensable for the expression of foreign genes in bdelloids.
- The acquisition of SL trans-splicing for foreign genes appears to be a process that occurs during their "domestication" within the host genome.
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