Large variations in bacterial ribosomal RNA genes.

ABSTRACT: Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, essential to all forms of life, have been viewed as highly conserved and evolutionarily stable, partly because very little is known about their natural variations. Here, we explored large-scale variations of rRNA genes through bioinformatic analyses of available complete bacterial genomic sequences with an emphasis on formation mechanisms and biological significance. Interestingly, we found bacterial genomes in which no 16S rRNA genes harbor the conserved core of the anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence (5'-CCTCC-3'). This loss was accompanied by elimination of Shine-Dalgarno-like sequences upstream of their protein-coding genes. Those genomes belong to 1 or 2 of the following categories: primary symbionts, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Flavobacteria. We also found many re

SUBMITTER: Lim K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3457768 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature