Identification and functional characterization of bidirectional gene pairs and their intergenic regions in maize.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bidirectional gene pairs exist as a specific form of gene organization in microorganisms and mammals as well as in model plant species, such as Arabidopsis and rice. Little is known about bidirectional gene pairs in maize, which has a large genome and is one of the most important grain crops.

Results

We conducted a genome-wide search in maize using genome sequencing results from the inbred line B73. In total, 1696 bidirectional transcript pairs were identified using a modified search model. We functionally characterized the promoter activity of the intergenic regions of most of the bidirectional transcript pairs that were expressed in embryos using a maize embryo transient expression system. A comparative study of bidirectional gene pairs performed for three monoc

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4035068 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature