Distribution, Diversity, and Evolution of Endogenous Retroviruses in Perissodactyl Genomes.

ABSTRACT: The evolution of mammalian genomes has been shaped by interactions with endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). In this study, we investigated the distribution and diversity of ERVs in the mammalian order Perissodactyla, with a view to understanding their impact on the evolution of modern equids (family Equidae). We characterize the major ERV lineages in the horse genome in terms of their genomic distribution, ancestral genome organization, and time of activity. Our results show that subsequent to their ancestral divergence from rhinoceroses and tapirs, equids acquired four novel ERV lineages. We show that two of these ERV lineages proliferated extensively in the lineage leading to modern horses, and one contains loci that are actively transcribed in specific tissues. In addition, we

SUBMITTER: Zhu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6232481 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature