Comprehensive analysis of the Kinetoplastea intron landscape reveals a novel intron-containing gene and the first exclusively trans-splicing eukaryote

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F24%3A00602930" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/24:00602930 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/61988987:17310/24:A25039P8 RIV/60076658:12310/24:43908378

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-02080-z" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-02080-z</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12915-024-02080-z" target="_blank" >10.1186/s12915-024-02080-z</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Comprehensive analysis of the Kinetoplastea intron landscape reveals a novel intron-containing gene and the first exclusively trans-splicing eukaryote

Original language description

BackgroundIn trypanosomatids, a group of unicellular eukaryotes that includes numerous important human parasites, cis-splicing has been previously reported for only two genes: a poly(A) polymerase and an RNA helicase. Conversely, trans-splicing, which involves the attachment of a spliced leader sequence, is observed for nearly every protein-coding transcript. So far, our understanding of splicing in this protistan group has stemmed from the analysis of only a few medically relevant species. In this study, we used an extensive dataset encompassing all described trypanosomatid genera to investigate the distribution of intron-containing genes and the evolution of splice sites.ResultsWe identified a new conserved intron-containing gene encoding an RNA-binding protein that is universally present in Kinetoplastea. We show that Perkinsela sp., a kinetoplastid endosymbiont of Amoebozoa, represents the first eukaryote completely devoid of cis-splicing, yet still preserving trans-splicing. We also provided evidence for reverse transcriptase-mediated intron loss in Kinetoplastea, extensive conservation of 5 ' splice sites, and the presence of non-coding RNAs within a subset of retained trypanosomatid introns.ConclusionsAll three intron-containing genes identified in Kinetoplastea encode RNA-interacting proteins, with a potential to fine-tune the expression of multiple genes, thus challenging the perception of cis-splicing in these protists as a mere evolutionary relic. We suggest that there is a selective pressure to retain cis-splicing in trypanosomatids and that this is likely associated with overall control of mRNA processing. Our study provides new insights into the evolution of introns and, consequently, the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10602 - Biology (theoretical, mathematical, thermal, cryobiology, biological rhythm), Evolutionary biology

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

BMC Biology

ISSN

1741-7007

e-ISSN

1741-7007

Volume of the periodical

22

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

GB - UNITED KINGDOM

Number of pages

20

Pages from-to

281

UT code for WoS article

001369673600001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85211382369