Programmable RNA-guided endonucleases are widespread in eukaryotes and their viruses.

ABSTRACT: TnpB proteins are RNA-guided nucleases that are broadly associated with IS200/605 family transposons in prokaryotes. TnpB homologs, named Fanzors, have been detected in genomes of some eukaryotes and large viruses, but their activity and functions in eukaryotes remain unknown. We searched genomes of diverse eukaryotes and their viruses for TnpB homologs and identified numerous putative RNA-guided nucleases that are often associated with various transposases, suggesting they are encoded in mobile genetic elements. Reconstruction of the evolution of these nucleases, which we rename Horizontally-transferred Eukaryotic RNA-guided Mobile Element Systems (HERMES), revealed multiple acquisitions of TnpBs by eukaryotes and subsequent diversification. In their adaptation and spread in eukaryotes, H

SUBMITTER: Jiang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10312701 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature