Differential Conservation and Loss of CR1 Retrotransposons in Squamates Reveals Lineage-Specific Genome Dynamics across Reptiles.

ABSTRACT: Transposable elements (TEs) are repetitive DNA sequences which create mutations and generate genetic diversity across the tree of life. In amniotic vertebrates, TEs have been mainly studied in mammals and birds, whose genomes generally display low TE diversity. Squamates (Order Squamata; ~11,000 extant species of lizards and snakes) show as much variation in TE abundance and activity as they do in species and phenotypes. Despite this high TE activity, squamate genomes are remarkably uniform in size. We hypothesize that novel, lineage-specific dynamics have evolved over the course of squamate evolution to constrain genome size across the order. Thus, squamates may represent a prime model for investigations into TE diversity and evolution. To understand the interplay between TEs and host gen

SUBMITTER: Gable SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10888918 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature