Evidence for densovirus integrations into tapeworm genomes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tapeworms lack a canonical piRNA-pathway, raising the question of how they can silence existing mobile genetic elements (MGE). Investigation towards the underlying mechanisms requires information on tapeworm transposons which is, however, presently scarce.

Methods

The presence of densovirus-related sequences in tapeworm genomes was studied by bioinformatic approaches. Available RNA-Seq datasets were mapped against the Echinococcus multilocularis genome to calculate expression levels of densovirus-related genes. Transcription of densovirus loci was further analyzed by sequencing and RT-qPCR.

Results

We herein provide evidence for the presence of densovirus-related elements in a variety of tapeworm genomes. In the high-quality genome of E. multilocularis we i

SUBMITTER: Herz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6880638 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature