Homology-based annotation of non-coding RNAs in the genomes of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Schistosomes are trematode parasites of the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are considered the most important of the human helminth parasites in terms of morbidity and mortality. Draft genome sequences are now available for Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) plays a crucial role in gene expression regulation, cellular function and defense, homeostasis, and pathogenesis. The genome-wide annotation of ncRNAs is a non-trivial task unless well-annotated genomes of closely related species are already available.

Results

A homology search for structured ncRNA in the genome of S. mansoni resulted in 23 types of ncRNAs with conserved primary and secondary structure. Among these, we identified rRNA, snRNA, SL RNA, SRP, tRNAs and RNase P, and

SUBMITTER: Copeland CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2770079 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature