Conservation of divergent transcription in fungi.
The comparison of fully sequenced genomes enables the study of selective constraints that determine genome organisation. We show that, in fungi, adjacent divergently transcribed (<---->) genes are more conserved in orientation than convergent (--><--) or co-oriented (-->-->) gene pairs. Furthermore, the time divergent orientation of two genes is conserved correlates with the degree of their co-expression and with the likelihood of them being functionally related. The functional interactions of the proteins encoded by the conserved divergent gene pairs indicate a potential for protein function prediction in eukaryotes.
Kensche
Philip R
PR
Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Nijmegen Center for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Oti
Martin
M
Dutilh
Bas E
BE
Huynen
Martijn A
MA
D000818:Animals; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*