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Using Genomic Data to Determine the Diversity and Distribution of Target Site Motifs Recognized by Class C-attC Group II Introns

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Abstract

The attC sites are well-known integrase-targeted elements involved in the insertion and excision of gene cassettes from integrons. Recently, functional analysis of Sma.I2, a class C-attC group II intron, showed that this mobile element invades the attC sites through a specific process. The analysis of genomic data indicates that class C-attC group II introns are independently acquired by their bacterial hosts and evolve in the recognition of a variety of target sites, including the attCs. In addition, adaptation of class C-attC group II introns seemed to be favourable for particular genera, such as Shewanella, suggesting a possible niche for the spread of class C-attC group II introns inserted at attC sites. This understanding suggests a functional role of short palindromic DNA sequences, such as the attCs, as important tools for the acquisition of mobile elements associated with horizontal gene transfer.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grant BID/OC-AR 1723 ANPCyT 13431 and BID 1728/OC-AR ANPCyT 0690 to D. C. and BID 1728/OC-AR ANPCyT 0730 to C. Q. from the Agencia Nacional de Promoción de Ciencia y Técnica C. Q. is a recipient of a CONICET fellowship. D. C. is a member of Carrera del Investigador Científico at CONICET.

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  1. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Cecilia Quiroga & Daniela Centrón

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  1. Cecilia Quiroga
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  2. Daniela Centrón
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Correspondence to Daniela Centrón.

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Quiroga, C., Centrón, D. Using Genomic Data to Determine the Diversity and Distribution of Target Site Motifs Recognized by Class C-attC Group II Introns. J Mol Evol 68, 539–549 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-009-9228-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-009-9228-3

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