Alternative translation initiation codons for the plastid maturase MatK: unraveling the pseudogene misconception in the Orchidaceae.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The plastid maturase MatK has been implicated as a possible model for the evolutionary "missing link" between prokaryotic and eukaryotic splicing machinery. This evolutionary implication has sparked investigations concerning the function of this unusual maturase. Intron targets of MatK activity suggest that this is an essential enzyme for plastid function. The matK gene, however, is described as a pseudogene in many photosynthetic orchid species due to presence of premature stop codons in translations, and its high rate of nucleotide and amino acid substitution.

Results

Sequence analysis of the matK gene from orchids identified an out-of-frame alternative AUG initiation codon upstream from the consensus initiation codon used for translation in other angiosperms. W

SUBMITTER: Barthet MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4587860 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature