Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns in the rDNA genes of ascomycetes.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bhattacharya, D; Lutzoni, F; Reeb, V; Simon, D; Nason, J; Fernandez, F
Published in: Molecular biology and evolution
December 2000

Spliceosomal (pre-mRNA) introns have previously been found in eukaryotic protein-coding genes, in the small nuclear RNAs of some fungi, and in the small- and large-subunit ribosomal DNA genes of a limited number of ascomycetes. How the majority of these introns originate remains an open question because few proven cases of recent and pervasive intron origin have been documented. We report here the widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns (69 introns at 27 different sites) in the small- and large-subunit nuclear-encoded rDNA of lichen-forming and free-living members of the Ascomycota. Our analyses suggest that these spliceosomal introns are of relatively recent origin, i.e., within the Euascomycetes, and have arisen through aberrant reverse-splicing (in trans) of free pre-mRNA introns into rRNAs. The spliceosome itself, and not an external agent (e.g., transposable elements, group II introns), may have given rise to these introns. A nonrandom sequence pattern was found at sites flanking the rRNA spliceosomal introns. This pattern (AG-intron-G) closely resembles the proto-splice site (MAG-intron-R) postulated for intron insertions in pre-mRNA genes. The clustered positions of spliceosomal introns on secondary structures suggest that particular rRNA regions are preferred sites for insertion through reverse-splicing.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Molecular biology and evolution

DOI

EISSN

1537-1719

ISSN

0737-4038

Publication Date

December 2000

Volume

17

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1971 / 1984

Related Subject Headings

  • Spliceosomes
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA Splicing
  • Phylogeny
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Introns
  • Genes, rRNA
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Evolutionary Biology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Bhattacharya, D., Lutzoni, F., Reeb, V., Simon, D., Nason, J., & Fernandez, F. (2000). Widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns in the rDNA genes of ascomycetes. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 17(12), 1971–1984. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026298
Bhattacharya, D., F. Lutzoni, V. Reeb, D. Simon, J. Nason, and F. Fernandez. “Widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns in the rDNA genes of ascomycetes.Molecular Biology and Evolution 17, no. 12 (December 2000): 1971–84. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026298.
Bhattacharya D, Lutzoni F, Reeb V, Simon D, Nason J, Fernandez F. Widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns in the rDNA genes of ascomycetes. Molecular biology and evolution. 2000 Dec;17(12):1971–84.
Bhattacharya, D., et al. “Widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns in the rDNA genes of ascomycetes.Molecular Biology and Evolution, vol. 17, no. 12, Dec. 2000, pp. 1971–84. Epmc, doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026298.
Bhattacharya D, Lutzoni F, Reeb V, Simon D, Nason J, Fernandez F. Widespread occurrence of spliceosomal introns in the rDNA genes of ascomycetes. Molecular biology and evolution. 2000 Dec;17(12):1971–1984.
Journal cover image

Published In

Molecular biology and evolution

DOI

EISSN

1537-1719

ISSN

0737-4038

Publication Date

December 2000

Volume

17

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1971 / 1984

Related Subject Headings

  • Spliceosomes
  • RNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA Splicing
  • Phylogeny
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Introns
  • Genes, rRNA
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Evolutionary Biology