Universal and domain-specific sequences in 23S-28S ribosomal RNA identified by computational phylogenetics.

ABSTRACT: Comparative analysis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences has elucidated phylogenetic relationships. However, this powerful approach has not been fully exploited to address ribosome function. Here we identify stretches of evolutionarily conserved sequences, which correspond with regions of high functional importance. For this, we developed a structurally aligned database, FLORA (full-length organismal rRNA alignment) to identify highly conserved nucleotide elements (CNEs) in 23S-28S rRNA from each phylogenetic domain (Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea). Universal CNEs (uCNEs) are conserved in sequence and structural position in all three domains. Those in regions known to be essential for translation validate our approach. Importantly, some uCNEs reside in areas of unknown function, thus identif

SUBMITTER: Doris SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4574749 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature