Evolutionary diversification of an ancient gene family (rhs) through C-terminal displacement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rhs genes are prominent features of bacterial genomes that have previously been implicated in genomic rearrangements in E. coli. By comparing rhs repertoires across the Enterobacteriaceae, this study provides a robust explanation of rhs diversification and evolution, and a mechanistic model of how rhs diversity is gained and lost.

Results

Rhs genes are ubiquitous and comprise six structurally distinct lineages within the Enterobacteriaceae. There is considerable intergenomic variation in rhs repertoire; for instance, in Salmonella enterica, rhs are restricted to mobile elements, while in Escherichia coli one rhs lineage has diversified through transposition as older lineages have been deleted. Overall, comparative genomics reveals frequent, independent gene gains

SUBMITTER: Jackson AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2935791 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature