Characterization of a novel Helitron family in insect genomes: insights into classification, evolution and horizontal transfer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Helitrons play an important role in shaping eukaryotic genomes due to their ability to transfer horizontally between distantly related species and capture gene fragments during the transposition. However, the mechanisms of horizontal transfer (HT) and the process of gene fragment capturing of Helitrons still remain to be further clarified.

Results

Here, we characterized a novel Helitron family discontinuously distributed in 27 out of 256 insect genomes. The most prominent characteristic of Hel1 family is its high sequence similarity among species of different insect orders. Related elements were also identified in two spiders, representing the first report of spider Helitrons. All these elements were classified into 2 families, 9

SUBMITTER: Han G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6544945 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature