Intervening sequences exhibit distinct vocabulary.
Little is known about the origin and function of eukaryotic introns. Application of a novel linguistic approach to the analysis of intervening sequences reveals, however, that they exhibit a specific non-random vocabulary whose major feature is the utilization of mirror-symmetrical words ("mirrorrim"). Introns also manifest a significant tendency to avoid local complementarities. Possible biological implications of the corresponding loop regions in the RNA transcripts are discussed.
Beckmann
J S
JS
Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel.
Brendel
V
V
Trifonov
E N
EN
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D012313:RNA
D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA