Satellite DNA-like elements associated with genes within euchromatin of the beetle Tribolium castaneum.

ABSTRACT: In the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum the major TCAST satellite DNA accounts for 35% of the genome and encompasses the pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes. Because of the presence of transcriptional regulatory elements and transcriptional activity in these sequences, TCAST satellite DNAs also have been proposed to be modulators of gene expression within euchromatin. Here, we analyze the distribution of TCAST homologous repeats in T. castaneum euchromatin and study their association with genes as well as their potential gene regulatory role. We identified 68 arrays composed of TCAST-like elements distributed on all chromosomes. Based on sequence characteristics the arrays were composed of two types of TCAST-like elements. The first type consists of TCAST satellite-like elements

SUBMITTER: Brajkovic J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3411249 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature