Gene synteny and evolution of genome architecture in trypanosomatids.

TitleGene synteny and evolution of genome architecture in trypanosomatids.
Publication TypeJournal Articles
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsGhedin E, Bringaud F, Peterson J, Myler P, Berriman M, Ivens A, Andersson B, Bontempi E, Eisen J, Angiuoli S, Wanless D, Von Arx A, Murphy L, Lennard N, Salzberg S, Adams MD, White O, Hall N, Stuart K, Fraser CM, el-Sayed NMA
JournalMol Biochem Parasitol
Volume134
Issue2
Pagination183-91
Date Published2004 Apr
ISSN0166-6851
KeywordsAnimals, Computational Biology, Evolution, Molecular, Gene Order, Genome, Protozoan, Genomics, Leishmania major, Multigene Family, Recombination, Genetic, Retroelements, Selection, Genetic, Synteny, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosomatina
Abstract

The trypanosomatid protozoa Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania major are related human pathogens that cause markedly distinct diseases. Using information from genome sequencing projects currently underway, we have compared the sequences of large chromosomal fragments from each species. Despite high levels of divergence at the sequence level, these three species exhibit a striking conservation of gene order, suggesting that selection has maintained gene order among the trypanosomatids over hundreds of millions of years of evolution. The few sites of genome rearrangement between these species are marked by the presence of retrotransposon-like elements, suggesting that retrotransposons may have played an important role in shaping trypanosomatid genome organization. A degenerate retroelement was identified in L. major by examining the regions near breakage points of the synteny. This is the first such element found in L. major suggesting that retroelements were found in the common ancestor of all three species.

DOI10.1016/j.molbiopara.2003.11.012
Alternate JournalMol. Biochem. Parasitol.
PubMed ID15003838
Grant ListAI43062 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
AI45038 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
AI45039 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
AI45061 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
AI49599 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States