A phylogenomic study quantifies competing mechanisms for pseudogenization in prokaryotes-The Mycobacterium leprae case.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pseudogenes are non-functional sequences in the genome with homologous sequences that are functional (i.e. genes). They are abundant in eukaryotes where they have been extensively investigated, while in prokaryotes they are significantly scarcer and less well studied. Here we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of orthologs of Mycobacterium leprae pseudogenes in prokaryotes. The leprosy pathogen M. leprae is of particular interest since it contains an unusually large number of pseudogenes, comprising approximately 40% of its entire genome. The analysis is conducted in both broad and narrow phylogenetic ranges.

Results

We have developed an informatics-based approach to characterize the evolution of pseudogenes. This approach combines tools from phylog

SUBMITTER: Avni E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6211624 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature