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Identifying the mechanisms of intron gain: progress and trends

Yenerall, P and Zhou, L (2012) Identifying the mechanisms of intron gain: progress and trends. Biology Direct, 7.

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Abstract

Continued improvements in Next-Generation DNA/RNA sequencing coupled with advances in gene annotation have provided researchers access to a plethora of annotated genomes. Subsequent analyses of orthologous gene structures have identified numerous intron gain and loss events that have occurred both recently and in the very distant past. This research has afforded exceptional insight into the temporal and lineage-specific rates of intron gain and loss among various species throughout evolution. Numerous studies have also attempted to identify the molecular mechanisms of intron gain and loss. However, even after considerable effort, very little is known about these processes. In particular, the mechanism(s) of intron gain have proven exceptionally enigmatic and remain topics of considerable debate. Currently, there exists no definitive consensus as to what mechanism(s) may generate introns. Because many introns are known to affect gene expression, it is necessary to understand the molecular process(es) by which introns may be gained. Here we review the seven most commonly purported mechanisms of intron gain and, when possible, summarize molecular evidence for or against the occurrence of each of these mechanisms. Furthermore, we catalogue indirect evidence that supports the occurrence of each mechanism. Finally, because these proposed mechanisms fail to explain the mechanistic origin of many recently gained introns, we also look at trends that may aid researchers in identifying other potential mechanism(s) of intron gain.This article was reviewed by Eugene Koonin, Scott Roy (nominated by W. Ford Doolittle), and John Logsdon. © 2012 Yenerall and Zhou; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Yenerall, P
Zhou, LLeming.Zhou@pitt.eduLZHOU10000-0003-4398-0267
Date: 10 September 2012
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Biology Direct
Volume: 7
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1186/1745-6150-7-29
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Biological Sciences
School of Public Health > Health Policy & Management
Swanson School of Engineering > Bioengineering
Refereed: Yes
Article Type: Review
Date Deposited: 29 Nov 2016 21:07
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2019 03:55
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/29840

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