Marsupial-specific microRNAs evolved from marsupial-specific transposable elements.
Using a direct miRNA cloning strategy we previously identified fourteen marsupial- or species-specific microRNAs in the marsupial species Monodelphis domestica. In the present study we examined each of the pre-miRNAs and their flanking sequences and demonstrate that half of these miRNAs evolved from marsupial-specific transposable elements. These findings reinforce the view that transposable elements are a previously unappreciated source of new, lineage-specific microRNAs.
Devor
Eric J
EJ
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics, Integrated DNA Technologies, Coralville, IA 52241, USA. eric-devor@uiowa.edu
Peek
Andrew S
AS
Lanier
William
W
Samollow
Paul B
PB
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010802:Phylogeny; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D035683:MicroRNAs