Analysis of a comprehensive dataset of diversity generating retroelements generated by the program DiGReF.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diversity Generating Retroelements (DGRs) are genetic cassettes that can introduce tremendous diversity into a short, defined region of the genome. They achieve hypermutation through replacement of the variable region with a strongly mutated cDNA copy generated by the element-encoded reverse transcriptase. In contrast to "selfish" retroelements such as group II introns and retrotransposons, DGRs impart an advantage to their host by increasing its adaptive potential. DGRs were discovered in a bacteriophage, but since then additional examples have been identified in some bacterial genomes.

Results

Here we present the program DiGReF that allowed us to comprehensively screen available databases for DGRs. We identified 155 DGRs which are found in all major classes of b

SUBMITTER: Schillinger T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3521204 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature