DNA-Encoded Chromatin Structural Intron Boundary Signals Identify Conserved Genes with Common Function.

ABSTRACT: The regulation of metazoan gene expression occurs in part by pre-mRNA splicing into mature RNAs. Signals affecting the efficiency and specificity with which introns are removed have not been completely elucidated. Splicing likely occurs cotranscriptionally, with chromatin structure playing a key regulatory role. We calculated DNA encoded nucleosome occupancy likelihood (NOL) scores at the boundaries between introns and exons across five metazoan species. We found that (i) NOL scores reveal a sequence-based feature at the introns on both sides of the intron-exon boundary; (ii) this feature is not part of any recognizable consensus sequence; (iii) this feature is conserved throughout metazoa; (iv) this feature is enriched in genes sharing similar functions: ATPase activity, ATP binding, heli

SUBMITTER: Fincher JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4377520 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature