Use of endogenous retroviral sequences (ERVs) and structural markers for retroviral phylogenetic inference and taxonomy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Endogenous retroviral sequences (ERVs) are integral parts of most eukaryotic genomes and vastly outnumber exogenous retroviruses (XRVs). ERVs with a relatively complete structure were retrieved from the genetic archives of humans and chickens, diametrically opposite representatives of vertebrate retroviruses (over 3300 proviruses), and analyzed, using a bioinformatic program, RetroTector, developed by us. This rich source of proviral information, accumulated in a local database, and a collection of XRV sequences from the literature, allowed the reconstruction of a Pol based phylogenetic tree, more extensive than previously possible. The aim was to find traits useful for classification and evolutionary studies of retroviruses. Some of these traits have been used by others

SUBMITTER: Jern P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1224870 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature