Rapidly regulated genes are intron poor.
We show that genes with rapidly changing expression levels in response to stress contain significantly lower intron densities in yeasts, thale cress and mice. Therefore, we propose that introns can delay regulatory responses and are selected against in genes whose transcripts require rapid adjustment for survival of environmental challenges. These findings could provide an explanation for the apparent extensive intron loss during the evolution of some eukaryotic lineages.
Jeffares
Daniel C
DC
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK. dcj@sanger.ac.uk
Penkett
Christopher J
CJ
Bähler
Jürg
J
D000818:Animals; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007438:Introns; D051379:Mice; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012326:RNA Splicing; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics