Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Terminal Repeat Sequences”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Identification and characterization of recombinant subgroup J avian leukosis viruses (ALV) expressing subgroup A ALV envelope.

Three recombinant avian leukosis subgroup J viruses, ADOL 5701A, ADOL 5701ADelta, and ADOL 6803A, carrying a subgroup A envelope have been isolated and characterized. These viruses were identified by their ability to replicate in DF-1/J, a recombinant chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cell line expressing the subgroup J envelope that is resistant to subgroup J replication. Flow cytometric analysis of DF-1/J cells infected with ADOL 5701 and ADOL 6803, two subgroup J isolates, indicated cross-reactivity with subgroup A chicken polyclonal serum. Based on published sequences of subgroups A and J isolates, we designed a series of primers to PCR amplify the envelope and LTR of these viruses. PCR products were obtained when the forward primer was specific for subgroup A gp85 envelope protein gene and the reverse primer was specific for subgroup J LTR. Sequence analysis of the PCR products indicated that these viruses had a subgroup A gp85, a subgroup E gp37, and a subgroup J LTR. Interestingly, these viruses had previously been propagated in CEF from the alv6 chicken line, a line that carries a replication defective recombinant endogenous virus expressing a subgroup A envelope (RAV 0-A(1)). Sequence analysis of RAV 0-A(1) gp85 and gp37 envelope proteins indicated that they were almost identical to those of the recombinants ADOL 5701A and ADOL 6803A. These results indicate that these three recombinant viruses arose by recombination between exogenous subgroup J isolates and a recombinant defective endogenous virus with subgroup A envelope.

Animals↗

Inhibition of feline leukemia virus subgroup A infection by coinoculation with subgroup B.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) subgroup B arises de novo through recombination between the env genes of exogenous FeLV subgroup A and endogenous FeLV-like sequences. FeLV-B, which by itself is poorly infectious, will increase to high titer in the presence of FeLV-A, and is associated with FeLV-related neoplastic disease. Although the participation of FeLV-B in disease progression has not been definitively proven, circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis that the generation of FeLV-B is linked to disease progression. The present study was designed to evaluate whether increasing the levels of FeLV-B early in FeLV-A infection could result in reduction of the incubation period for development of neoplastic disease. For this study, an isolate of FeLV-B, designated FeLV-1B3, was biologically cloned, partially sequenced, and subgroup typed. In in vivo studies, none of the neonatal cats inoculated with FeLV-1B3 alone converted to viremia positive, and all remained healthy throughout the observation period. All of the kittens inoculated with FeLV-A alone became chronically viremic, and those held for long-term observation all developed either neoplastic disease or anemia. However, kittens inoculated with the combination of FeLV-1B3 and FeLV-A showed attenuated infections whereby the majority of cats failed to develop chronic viremia. The apparent interference of FeLV-A infection by FeLV-B was time and titer dependent. This unexpected result suggests that FeLV-B may act as an attenuated virus, causing inhibition of FeLV-A possibly through an immune-mediated mechanism. Partial support for this view was provided by postmortem examination of cats inoculated with FeLV-1B3 alone. Even though none of these cats became viremic, FeLV antigen was detected as focal infections in select tissues, especially salivary gland epithelium, where enough antigen may be expressed to provide an immunizing dose against gag and pol cross-reacting antigens. This work may also provide another approach to vaccine development based on endogenous retrovirus vector systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reverse transcription of retroviruses and LTR retrotransposons.

Retroelements are mobile genetic entities that replicate via reverse transcription of a template RNA. A key component to the life cycle of these elements is the enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT), which copies the single-stranded genomic RNA of the element into a linear double-stranded DNA that is ultimately integrated into the host genome by the element-encoded integrase. RT is a multifunctionnal enzyme which possesses RNA-dependent and DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities as well as RNase H activity that specifically degrades the RNA strand of RNA-DNA duplexes. At some stages of the replication a strand-displacement activity of RT is also necessary. All activities are essential for the conversion of single-stranded genomic RNA into the double-stranded preintegrative DNA. This review focuses on the role of RT in the different steps of the replication process of retroelements. The features of retrotransposon replication which differ from the retroviral ones will be emphasized. In a second part of the review, the biochemical and enzymatic properties of two newly characterized retrotransposon RTs will be described. The role of the integrase domain in reverse transcriptase activity of some retroviral and retrotransposon RTs will be discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular characterization of the recent intragenomic spread of the murine endogenous retrovirus MuERV-L.

The mouse genome has been subjected to two successive amplification bursts of the murine endogenous retrovirus MuERV-L after the Mus/Rattus split. The main objective of this work is to characterize in detail the intragenomic spread giving rise to these two murine bursts using full-length MuERV-L proviruses taken from public databases. Phylogenetic analyses led to the identification of elements putatively amplifying during each one of the two burst. Likelihood-ratio tests were used to confirm that elements supposedly arisen during the first burst have been evolving under lower selective constrains, as expected for older insertions. The data reported here suggested an evolutionary dynamics for MuERV-L amplification characterized by the existence of multiple elements simultaneously active during each one of the bursts while only one or very few closely related proviruses from the first burst gave rise to the second one. Finally, more than one third of the proviruses present 100% identity between the 5' and 3' LTRs, strongly indicating that MuERV-L is currently active within the mouse genome.

Animals↗

Structural features of the mdg1 lineage of the Ty3/gypsy group of LTR retrotransposons inferred from the phylogenetic analyses of its open reading frames.

The increasing amount of data generated in recent years has opened the way to exhaustive studies of the relationships among different members of the Ty3/gypsy group of LTR retrotransposons, a widespread group of eukaryotic transposable elements. Former research led to the identification of several independent lineages within this group. One of the worse represented of them is that of mdg1, integrated so far only by the Drosophila retrotransposons mdg1 and 412. Our exhaustive database searches indicate the existence of three other Drosophila members of this lineage. Two of them correspond to elements already known, namely, Stalker and blood, but the third one is a new element, which we have called Pilgrim. This element is well represented within the D. melanogaster genome, as revealed by our Southern blot analysis of different strains. The case of Stalker is particularly remarkable, since its phylogenetic relationships clearly point to the mosaic origin of its genome. Finally, our analysis of the evolution of a small ORF preserved within the 5' leader region of these elements indicates different evolutionary rates, presumably as a result of distinct selective constraints.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A group of deuterostome Ty3/ gypsy-like retrotransposons with Ty1/ copia-like pol-domain orders.

Here we report the existence of an unusual group of LTR retrotransposons, termed Gmr1-like elements. The members of this group are most similar in sequence to elements of the Ty3/ gypsy group, yet, unlike typical Ty3/ gypsy elements, they have pol genes in which the integrase domain lies upstream, rather than downstream, of the reverse transcriptase domain. Such an arrangement was formerly believed to be a characteristic peculiar to Ty1/ copia elements. The group includes the previously described retrotransposon Gmr1 from the Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, together with elements from a variety of other vertebrates, such as the zebrafish Danio rerio, the pufferfish Fugu rubripes and the clawed toad Xenopus laevis, as well as elements from non-vertebrate deuterostomes such as the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis. No Gmr1-like elements were found outside of the deuterostomes, nor were any other groups of elements with atypical pol-domain orders identified. Phylogenetic analyses show that the Gmr1-like elements form a monophyletic group within the larger group of Ty3/ gypsy elements. Some of the newly identified elements appear to be structurally intact and may still be active. The identification of this group challenges some previously held beliefs concerning the structure and evolution of LTR retrotransposons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic paleontology provides evidence for two distinct origins of Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.).

The origin of rice domestication has been the subject of debate for several decades. We have compared the transpositional history of 110 LTR retrotransposons in the genomes of two rice varieties, Nipponbare (Japonica type) and 93-11 (Indica type) whose complete sequences have recently been released. Using a genomic paleontology approach, we estimate that these two genomes diverged from one another at least 200,000 years ago, i.e., at a time which is clearly older than the date of domestication of the crop (10,000 years ago, during the late Neolithic). In addition, we complement and confirm this first in silico analysis with a survey of insertion polymorphisms in a wide range of traditional rice varieties of both Indica and Japonica types. These experimental data provide additional evidence for the proposal that Indica and Japonica rice arose from two independent domestication events in Asia.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular structure of a novel gypsy-Ty3-like retrotransposon (Kabuki) and nested retrotransposable elements on the W chromosome of the silkworm Bombyx mori.

We previously characterized a female-specific randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), designated W-Kabuki, derived from the W chromosome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. To further analyze the W chromosome of B. mori, we obtained a lambda phage clone which contains the W-Kabuki RAPD sequence and sequenced the 18.1-kb DNA insert. We found that this DNA comprises a nested structure of at least seven elements; three retrotransposons, two retroposons, one functionally unknown insertion, and one Bombyx repetitive sequence. The non-LTR retrotransposon BMC1, the retroposon Bm1, a functionally unknown inserted DNA (FUI), and a copia-like LTR retrotransposon (Yokozuma) are themselves inserted into a novel gypsy-Ty3-like LTR retrotransposon, named Kabuki. Furthermore, this Kabuki element is itself inserted into another copy of Bm1. The BMCI and Yokozuna elements inserted in the Kabuki sequence are intact. Moreover, the Kabuki element is largely intact. These results suggest that many retrotransposable elements have accumulated on the W chromosome, and these elements are expected to evolve more slowly than those on other chromosomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and characterization of novel retrotransposons of the gypsy type in rice.

We found that two DNA fragments, which were obtained from Oryza sativa L cv. IR36 by PCR using degenerate primers designed for amplification of a rice gene, showed homology with the rt gene encoding reverse transcriptase of the Drosophila retrotransposon gypsy. We named the element from which they originated RIRE3 (for rice retrotransposon No. 3) and analyzed it further by isolating various clones containing segments of RIRE3. Nucleotide sequencing of the clones revealed that RIRE3 has LTRs (2316 bp) and that the internal sequence (5775 bp) includes a large ORF with gag and pol regions; the pol region includes the rt gene as well as the int gene encoding integrase in this order, as in gypsy. Interestingly, the region upstream of gag in RIRE3 contained another open reading frame, here called orf0, which does not exist in gypsy or in other retrotransposons related to it. In the course of characterizing RIRE3, we obtained a further clone, which showed less homology with the pol region of RIRE3. This clone was found to be derived from another gypsy-type retrotransposon (named RIRE8) containing the LTR sequence and orf0 both of which were only weakly homologous to that in RIRE3. Further characterization of RIRE8 revealed that there were actually two subtypes of RIRE8 (named RIRE8A and RIRE8B), which show little homology to each other in the orf0 region. Although the LTRs of RIRE3 and RIRE8 elements show very weak homology with each other, there exists a conserved sequence at their termini. We therefore carried out PCR using primers which hybridize to the rt gene of RIRE3, and total genomic DNA from various monocot and dicot plants as templates, and found that a family of RIRE3 elements was present in all plants tested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Non-LTR retrotransposons with unique integration preferences downstream of Dictyostelium discoideum tRNA genes.

Retrotransposable elements are genetic enti ties which move and replicate within host cell genomes We have previously reported on the structures and ge nomic distributions of two non-long terminal repea (non-LTR) retrotransposons, DRE and Tdd-3, in the eukaryotic microorganism Dictyostelium discoideum DRE elements are found inserted upstream, and Tdd-3 elements downstream, of transfer RNA (tRNA) genes with remarkable position and orientation specificities The data set currently available from the Dictyostelium Genome Project led to the characterisation of two repetitive DNA elements which are related to the D. discoideum non-LTR retrotransposon Tdd-3 in both their structural properties and genomic distributions. It appears from our data that in the D. discoideum genome tRNA genes are major targets for the insertion of mobilised non-LTR retrotransposons. This may be interpreted as the consequence of a process of coevolution, allowing a viable population of retroelements to transpose without being deleterious to the small microbial host genome which carries only short intergenic DNA sequences. A new nomenclature is introduced to designate all tRNA gene-targeted non-LTR retrotransposons (TREs) in the D. discoideum genome. TREs inserted 5' and 3' of tRNA genes are named TRE5 and TRE3, respectively. According to this nomenclature DRE and Tdd-3 are renamed TRE5-A and TRE3-A, respectively. The new retroelements described in this study are named TRE3-B (formerly RED) and TRE3-C.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homologous recombination and transposition generate chromosome I neopolymorphism during meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have studied the meiotic segregation of a chromosome length polymorphism (CLP) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The neopolymorphism frequently observed within the smallest chromosomes (I, VI, III and IX) is not completely understood. We focused on the analysis of the structure of chromosome I in 88 segregants from a cross between YNN295 and FL100trp. Strain FL100trp is known to carry a reciprocal translocation between the left arm of chromosome III and the right arm of chromosome I. PCR and Southern hybridization analyses were performed and a method for the rapid detection of chromosome I rearrangements was developed. Seven chromosome I types were identified among the 88 segregants. We detected 22 recombination events between homologous chromosomes I and seven ectopic recombination events between FL100trp chromosome III and YNN295 chromosome I. These recombination events occurred in 20 of the 22 tetrads studied (91%). Nine tetrads (41%) showed two recombination events. This showed that homologous recombination involving polymorphic homologues or heterologous chromosomes is the main source of neopolymorphism. Only one of the seven chromosome I variants resulted from a transposition event rather than a recombination event. We demonstrated that a Tyl element had transposed within the translocated region of chromosome I, generating mutations in the 3' LTR, at the border between U5 and PBS.

Base Sequence↗

Endogenous retrovirus HC2 pol fragments in the squirrel monkey: expression, evolution, and phylogeny.

Human endogenous retrovirus HC2 is an incomplete provirus containing the entire gag and pol genes and a 3' LTR, whereas the 5' LTR and env gene are missing. We investigated expression of the HC2 pol gene in the squirrel monkey ( Saimiri sciureus) by RT-PCR. The pol gene was expressed in cerebellum, liver, lung, and spleen of the squirrel monkey, but not in six other tissues tested. RT-PCR products were cloned and sequenced resulting in seven sequences that were analyzed. These sequences showed 73.7-89.2% sequence similarity to HC2 pol genes present in the human genome. No frameshifts or termination codons caused by deletion/insertion or point mutation were found in clones SM-HC27-1 and SM-HC27-4 isolated from squirrel monkey lung tissues. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HC2 pol elements from the squirrel monkey were randomly clustered with those in human genome and the genomes of other nonhuman primates, indicating that substantial evolution of the HC2 elements occurred prior to primate speciation with additional evolution of the elements, independent of each other, after speciation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Morgane, a new LTR retrotransposon group, and its subfamilies in wheats.

Transposable elements are the main components of grass genomes, especially in Triticeae species. In a previous analysis, we identified a very short element, Morgane_CR626934-1; here we describe more precisely this unusual element. Morgane_CR626934-1 shows high sequence identity (until 98%) with ESTs belonging to other possible small elements, expressed under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. No putative functional polyprotein could be identified in all of these different Morgane-like sequences. Moreover, elements from the Morgane_CR626934-1 subfamily are found only in wheats and Agropyrum genomes and among these species, only Ae. tauschii and T. aestivum present a high copy number of these elements. They are highly conserved in wheat genomes (95.5%). Based on the uncommon characteristics of the described Morgane-like elements, we proposed to classify them in a new group within the Class I LTR retrotransposon, the Morgane group.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular analysis of Fiji disease virus segments 2, 4 and 7 completes the genome sequence.

The complete nucleotide sequences of Fiji disease virus (FDV) genome segments S2, S4 and S7 were determined. This now completes the sequencing of all ten dsRNA genome segments of the Fijivirus type member, FDV, which comprises a total of 29339 nt. FDV S2, S4 and S7 comprised 3820, 3568 and 2194 nt, respectively. S2 and S4 each contained a single open reading frame (ORF), which encoded putative proteins of 137 and 133 kDa, respectively, while S7 contained two ORFs, which encoded putative proteins of 42 and 37 kDa. The putative amino acid sequences of FDV S2 and S4 showed most similarity to the gene products of Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) S2 and RBSDV S3, respectively. The putative amino acid sequences of FDV S7 ORF I and II showed most similarity to Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) S6 ORF I and RBSDV S7 ORF II, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses showed that FDV was most closely related to the group 2 fijiviruses.

Base Sequence↗

A genomic perspective on the chromodomain-containing retrotransposons: Chromoviruses.

Chromoviruses, chromodomain-containing retrotransposons, are the only Metaviridae (Ty3/gypsy group of retrotransposons) clade with a Eukaryota-wide distribution. They have a common evolutionary origin and are the most prolific and diverse Metaviridae clade. The fusion of a retrotransposon and a chromodomain, was most probably responsible for their extreme evolutionary success in Eukaryota. Analysis of the massive amount of genome sequence data for different eukaryotic lineages has provided an in depth insight into the diversity, evolution, neofunctionalization, high rate of genomic turnover and origin of chromoviruses in Eukaryota. This review attempts to summarise the unique aspects of chromoviruses from a genomic perspective.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ogre elements--a distinct group of plant Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposons.

Ogre elements are a group of LTR retrotransposons recently discovered in legume plants, where they constitute almost 40% of the genome in some species. They are exceptional in their size (reaching 25 kb) and possess several specific features, including an intron within a polyprotein-coding region, and an extra open reading frame (ORF1) encoding a protein of unknown function located upstream of the gag gene. Although these features make Ogres interesting for further research, identification of additional elements from a broader range of plant taxa has been complicated by the divergence of their sequences, preventing their detection using similarity-based searches. Here we report the results of structure-based computational searches for Ogre elements in available plant genomic sequences, which proved to be more efficient and revealed occurrences of Ogres in three families of dicot plants (Leguminosae, Solanaceae and Salicaceae). In addition, a representative set of 85 elements was retrieved from a model legume species Medicago truncatula. All identified full-length elements were used for comparative analysis, which showed that in spite of only little conservation of their nucleotide sequences, their protein domains were highly conserved, including several regions within ORF1. Further, the elements shared the same functional regions, including a primer binding site complementary to tRNA(arg), a conserved motif within a polypurine tract, and a putative intron between the pro and rt/rh coding domains. These findings, together with analysis of their phylogenetic relationship to other retrotransposons based on similarities of rt domains suggest that Ogre elements from different plant taxa have a common origin and thus constitute a distinct group of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons.

Base Sequence↗

A deep-branching clade of retrovirus-like retrotransposons in bdelloid rotifers.

Rotifers of class Bdelloidea, a group of aquatic invertebrates in which males and meiosis have never been documented, are also unusual in their lack of multicopy LINE-like and gypsy-like retrotransposons, groups inhabiting the genomes of nearly all other metazoans. Bdelloids do contain numerous DNA transposons, both intact and decayed, and domesticated Penelope-like retroelements Athena, concentrated at telomeric regions. Here we describe two LTR retrotransposons, each found at low copy number in a different bdelloid species, which define a clade different from previously known clades of LTR retrotransposons. Like bdelloid DNA transposons and Athena, these elements are found preferentially in telomeric regions. Unlike bdelloid DNA transposons, many of which are decayed, the newly described elements, named Vesta and Juno, inhabiting the genomes of Philodina roseola and Adineta vaga, respectively, appear to be intact and represent recent insertions, possibly from an exogenous source. We describe the retrovirus-like structure of the new elements, containing gag, pol, and env-like open reading frames, and discuss their possible origins, transmission, and behavior in bdelloid genomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic study of Maedi Visna and Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis viral sequences in sheep and goats from Spain.

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) are widely spread in many countries, including Spain. However, little is known about the genetic characteristics of Spanish goat and sheep SRLV. In this study, segments from three genomic regions (pol, gag-p25 and LTR) were amplified using DNA isolated from three Spanish autochthonous sheep (one) and goats (two). Animals (one per flock) belonged to distantly located, single-species flocks (goat or sheep). Sequence analysis showed conservation of regions that are putatively relevant to viral survival. Sequences of Spanish goat and sheep SRLV were allocated into phylogenetic trees (phylograms) with known SRLV groups. The phylograms corresponding to the pol, gag-p25 and LTR regions analyzed presented a compatible topology. This showed that Spanish caprine and ovine SRLV sequences belonged to the A or D phylogenetic groups and were closer to sheep SRLV prototypes (A1 group) than to goat SRLV prototypes (B or C groups), according to the current classification [Shah, C., Boni, J., Huder, J.B., Vogt, H.R., Muhlherr, J., Zanoni, R., Miserez, R., Lutz, H., Schupbach, J., 2004a. Phylogenetic analysis and reclassification of caprine and ovine lentiviruses based on 104 new isolates: evidence for regular sheep-to-goat transmission and worldwide propagation through livestock trade. Virology 319 (1), 12-26]. It was not possible to amplify in the three genetic regions the expected fragment in additional Spanish caprine and ovine SRLV proviral DNA sequences with the PCR primers used. This suggests that there is heterogeneity at the primer binding site among Spanish SRLV sequences. It also illustrates the need to develop diagnostic tests that are sensitive in local breeds.

Amino Acid Sequence↗