CRISPR elements in the Thermococcales: evidence for associated horizontal gene transfer inPyrococcus furiosus (original) (raw)

Abstract

The presence and distribution of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeat) elements in the archaeal order Thermococcales were analyzed. Four complete genome sequences from the species_Pyrococcus abyssi, P. furiosus, P. horikoshii_, and_Thermococcus kodakaraensis_ were studied. A fragment of the genome of_P. furiosus_ was flanked by CRISPR elements upstream and by a single element downstream. The composition of the gene sequences contained in this genome fragment (positions 699013 to 855319) showed significant differences from the other genes in the_P. furiosus_ genome. Differences were observed in the GC content at the third codon positions and the frequency of codon usage between the genes located in the analyzed fragment and the other genes in the_P. furiosus_ genome. These results represent the first evidence suggesting that repeated CRISPR elements can be involved in horizontal gene transfer and genomic differentiation of hyperthermophilic Archaea.

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1. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiologia, IRNAS-CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes 10, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
   M. C. Portillo & J. M. Gonzalez

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1. M. C. Portillo
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2. J. M. Gonzalez
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Correspondence toJ. M. Gonzalez.

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Portillo, M.C., Gonzalez, J.M. CRISPR elements in the Thermococcales: evidence for associated horizontal gene transfer in_Pyrococcus furiosus_ .J Appl Genet 50, 421–430 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03195703

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• Received: 04 May 2009
• Accepted: 03 July 2009
• Issue Date: December 2009
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03195703

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