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Precise mapping of new group I introns in tRNA genes

Journal Article ·

Bacterial tRNA have been found interrupted at various positions in the anticodon loop by group I introns, in four types. The primary bioinformatic tool for group I intron discovery is a covariance model that can identify conserved features in the catalytic core and can sometimes identify the typical uridine residue at the -1 position, preceding the 5-prime splice site, but cannot identify the typical guanidine residue at the omega position, preceding the 3-prime splice site, to achieve precise mapping. One approach to complete the automation of group I intron mapping is to focus instead on the exons, which is enabled by the regularity of tRNAs. We develop a software module, within a larger package (tFind) aimed at mapping bacterial tRNA and tmRNA genes precisely, that expands this list of four known classes of intron-interrupted tRNAs to 21 cases. A new covariance model for these introns is presented. The wobble base pair formed by the -1 uridine is considered a determinant of the 5-prime splice site, yet one reasonably large new type bears a cytidine nucleotide at that position.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1601272
Report Number(s):
SAND--2020-1108J; 683316
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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