Structural similarities between viroids and transposable genetic elements - PubMed (original) (raw)

Structural similarities between viroids and transposable genetic elements

M C Kiefer et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1983 Oct.

Abstract

The primary structures of the tomato planta macho and tomato apical stunt viroids have been determined, and probable secondary structures are proposed. Both viroids can assume the rodlike conformation with extensive base-pairing characteristic of all known viroids. Sequence homologies between the two viroids (75%) and with members of the potato spindle tuber viroid group (73-83%) indicate that they both belong to this group. Comparative sequence analysis of all members of the group reveals striking similarities with the ends of transposable genetic elements. These similarities, the presence of inverted repeats often ending with the dinucleotides U-G and C-A, and flanking imperfect direct repeats suggest that viroids may have originated from transposable elements or retroviral proviruses by deletion of interior portions of the viral (or element) DNA.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Oct;78(10):6381-5 - PubMed
    1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 Nov;78(11):6932-5 - PubMed
    1. Nucleic Acids Res. 1981 Dec 11;9(23):6527-37 - PubMed
    1. Annu Rev Genet. 1981;15:341-404 - PubMed
    1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982 Jan;79(1):113-7 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources