Mobile introns: retrohoming by complete reverse splicing

Curr Biol. 1999 Jan 14;9(1):R11-4. doi: 10.1016/s0960-9822(99)80034-7.

Abstract

A mobile bacterial group II intron can integrate into DNA by the reverse splicing into a target site of its RNA transcript, which then acts as a template for DNA synthesis by an encoded reverse transcriptase. Mobility does not require homologous recombination, which has important practical and evolutionary implications.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA Transposable Elements*
  • Introns / genetics*
  • Introns / physiology
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Models, Genetic
  • Retroelements / genetics*
  • Retroelements / physiology
  • Transcription, Genetic / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • LtrB protein, Lactococcus lactis
  • Retroelements