Intron creation and DNA repair |
| |
Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Hermann?RaggEmail author |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, University of Bielefeld, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany |
| |
Abstract: | The genesis of the exon–intron patterns of eukaryotic genes persists as one of the most enigmatic questions in molecular genetics.
In particular, the origin and mechanisms responsible for creation of spliceosomal introns have remained controversial. Now
the issue appears to have taken a turn. The formation of novel introns in eukaryotes, including some vertebrate lineages,
is not as rare as commonly assumed. Moreover, introns appear to have been gained in parallel at closely spaced sites and even
repeatedly at the same position. Based on these discoveries, novel hypotheses of intron creation have been developed. The
new concepts posit that DNA repair processes are a major source of intron formation. Here, after summarizing the current views
of intron gain mechanisms, I review findings in support of the DNA repair hypothesis that provides a global mechanistic scenario
for intron creation. Some implications on our perception of the mosaic structure of eukaryotic genes are also discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|