MicroRNAs Derived from Repetitive Elements and Expanded by Segmental Duplication Events in Mammalian Genomes
Author Information
Author(s): Yuan Zhidong, Sun Xiao, Liu Hongde, Xie Jianming
Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Hypothesis
We hypothesized that miRNAs may also duplicate and expand accompanying large genomic segmental duplication events in their evolutionary history.
Conclusion
Repetitive elements contribute to the origin of miRNAs, and large segmental duplication events could prompt the expansion of some miRNA families.
Supporting Evidence
- 228 novel miRNA homologs were identified in the rhesus genome.
- 12 novel miRNA paralogs were found in the human genome.
- 278 miRNA genes were found in the human genome that overlap with repeats.
Takeaway
This study shows that some tiny RNA molecules, called microRNAs, come from repeated DNA sequences and can grow in number when certain parts of the genome are duplicated.
Methodology
A comparative genomics approach combined with identifying miRNA paralogs in segmental duplication pair data in a genome-wide study.
Limitations
The study may not account for all potential miRNAs derived from repetitive elements due to strict filtering criteria.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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