title: Bacterial reverse transcriptase and msDNA.
abstract: Retrons are a new class of genetic elements found in the chromosome of a large number of different bacteria. These elements code for a reverse transcriptase (RT) that is structurally similar to the polymerases of retroviruses. The retron associated RT is responsible for the production of an unusual extrachromosomal satellite DNA, known as multicopy, single-stranded DNA (msDNA). Synthesis of msDNA is dependent on a novel self-priming mechanism, resulting in the formation of a 2',5'-phosphodiester bond. A comparison of bacterial RTs is presented, noting conserved and unique features of these polymerases. In addition, the origin, means of dissemination, and possible activities of these functionally obscure retroelements are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996-0845, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Lampson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; C058681:msDNA; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase