Stem loop sequences specific to transposable element IS605 are found linked to lipoprotein genes in Borrelia plasmids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Plasmids of Borrelia species are dynamic structures that contain a large number of repetitive genes, gene fragments, and gene fusions. In addition, the transposable element IS605/200 family, as well as degenerate forms of this IS element, are prevalent. In Helicobacter pylori, flanking regions of the IS605 transposase gene contain sequences that fold into identical small stem loops. These function in transposition at the single-stranded DNA level.

Methodology/principal findings

In work reported here, bioinformatics techniques were used to scan Borrelia plasmid genomes for IS605 transposable element specific stem loop sequences. Two variant stem loop motifs are found in the left and right flanking regions of the transposase gene. Both motifs appear to have disperse

SUBMITTER: Delihas N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2775950 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature