Evolving Together: Cassandra Retrotransposons Gradually Mirror Promoter Mutations of the 5S rRNA Genes.

ABSTRACT: The 5S rRNA genes are among the most conserved nucleotide sequences across all species. Similar to the 5S preservation we observe the occurrence of 5S-related nonautonomous retrotransposons, so-called Cassandras. Cassandras harbor highly conserved 5S rDNA-related sequences within their long terminal repeats, advantageously providing them with the 5S internal promoter. However, the dynamics of Cassandra retrotransposon evolution in the context of 5S rRNA gene sequence information and structural arrangement are still unclear, especially: (1) do we observe repeated or gradual domestication of the highly conserved 5S promoter by Cassandras and (2) do changes in 5S organization such as in the linked 35S-5S rDNA arrangements impact Cassandra evolution? Here, we show evidence for gradual co-evolu

SUBMITTER: Maiwald S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10853983 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature