Intron Length Coevolution across Mammalian Genomes.

ABSTRACT: Although they do not contribute directly to the proteome, introns frequently contain regulatory elements and can extend the protein coding potential of the genome through alternative splicing. For some genes, the contribution of introns to the time required for transcription can also be functionally significant. We have previously shown that intron length in genes associated with developmental patterning is often highly conserved. In general, sets of genes that require precise coordination in the timing of their expression may be sensitive to changes in transcript length. A prediction of this hypothesis is that evolutionary changes in intron length, when they occur, may be correlated between sets of coordinately expressed genes. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed intron length coevolutio

SUBMITTER: Keane PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5026260 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature