Repeat or not repeat?--Statistical validation of tandem repeat prediction in genomic sequences.

ABSTRACT: Tandem repeats (TRs) represent one of the most prevalent features of genomic sequences. Due to their abundance and functional significance, a plethora of detection tools has been devised over the last two decades. Despite the longstanding interest, TR detection is still not resolved. Our large-scale tests reveal that current detectors produce different, often nonoverlapping inferences, reflecting characteristics of the underlying algorithms rather than the true distribution of TRs in genomic data. Our simulations show that the power of detecting TRs depends on the degree of their divergence, and repeat characteristics such as the length of the minimal repeat unit and their number in tandem. To reconcile the diverse predictions of current algorithms, we propose and evaluate several statisti

SUBMITTER: Schaper E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3488214 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature