Mitochondrial tRNA-lookalikes in nuclear chromosomes: could they be functional?
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2015
Abstract
The presence in human nuclear chromosomes of multiple sequences that are highly similar to human mitochondrial tRNAs (tRNA-lookalikes) raises intriguing questions about the possible functionality of these genomic loci. In this perspective, we explore the significance of the mitochondrial tRNA-lookalikes based on a series of properties that argue for their non-accidental nature. We particularly focus on the possibility of transcription as well as on potential functional roles for these sequences that can range from their acting as DNA regulatory elements to forming functional mature tRNAs or tRNA-derived fragments. Extension of our analysis to other simians (chimp, gorilla, rhesus, and squirrel monkey), 2 rodents (mouse and rat), a marsupial (opossum) and 3 invertebrates (fruit-fly, worm, and sponge) revealed that mitochondrial tRNA-lookalikes are prevalent in primates and the opossum but absent from the other analyzed organisms.
Volume
12
Issue
4
First Page
375
Last Page
380
ISSN
1555-8584
Published In/Presented At
Telonis, A. G., Kirino, Y., & Rigoutsos, I. (2015). Mitochondrial tRNA-lookalikes in nuclear chromosomes: could they be functional?. RNA biology, 12(4), 375–380. https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2015.1017239
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
25849196
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article