Genome-Wide Characterization of Zebrafish Endogenous Retroviruses Reveals Unexpected Diversity in Genetic Organizations and Functional Potentials.

ABSTRACT: Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) occupy a substantial fraction of mammalian genomes. However, whether ERVs extensively exist in ancient vertebrates remains unexplored. Here, we performed a genome-wide characterization of ERVs in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Approximately 3,315 ERV-like elements (DrERVs) were identified as Gypsy, Copia, Bel, and class I-III groups. DrERVs accounted for approximately 2.3% of zebrafish genome and were distributed in all 25 chromosomes, with a remarkable bias on chromosome 4. Gypsy and class I are the two most abundant groups with earlier insertion times. The vast majority of the DrERVs have varied structural defects. A total of 509 gag and 71 env genes with coding potentials were detected. The env-coding elements we

SUBMITTER: Bai J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8672886 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature