An ancient spliceosomal intron in the ribosomal protein L7a gene (Rpl7a) of Giardia lamblia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Only one spliceosomal-type intron has previously been identified in the unicellular eukaryotic parasite, Giardia lamblia (a diplomonad). This intron is only 35 nucleotides in length and is unusual in possessing a non-canonical 5' intron boundary sequence, CT, instead of GT.

Results

We have identified a second spliceosomal-type intron in G. lamblia, in the ribosomal protein L7a gene (Rpl7a), that possesses a canonical GT 5' intron boundary sequence. A comparison of the two known Giardia intron sequences revealed extensive nucleotide identity at both the 5' and 3' intron boundaries, similar to the conserved sequence motifs recently identified at the boundaries of spliceosomal-type introns in Trichomonas vaginalis (a parabasalid). Based on these observations, we sear

SUBMITTER: Russell AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1201135 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature