Mapping of exon-shuffling events in eukaryotes

• Grant number: 06/05616-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2007
• End date: February 28, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Sandro José de Souza
• Grantee: Gustavo Starvaggi França
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Intron origins and evolution have been questioned since their discovery. The “intron-late” hypothesis argues that introns appeared lately and were inserted in eukaryotic genes, while “intron-early” theory claims for pre-existing introns in the progenote (common ancestor of prokaryotes and eukaryotes) and they should be lost in prokaryotes by selective pressure to rapid DNA replication demand. The presence of introns allowed recombinations between non-homologous sequences, bringing together exons from different genes by a mechanism known as exon-shuffling. Through this process, new proteins were formed by combination of different coding sequences. Phase combinations of flanking introns may indicate exon-shuffling events. Exon-shuffling have been reported as a fundamental mechanism that culminates with emergence of the first multicellular organisms and the diversity explosion of metazoans. In this project, we propose the mapping of exon-shuffling events in eukaryotes, investigating the patterns and importance of this process through comparative analysis of multiple genomes.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

FRANÇA, Gustavo Starvaggi. Evolutionary history of exon shuffling in eukaryotes. 2010. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) São Paulo.