Unexpected Diversity and Differential Success of DNA Transposons in Four Species of Entamoeba Protozoans
Open Access
- 18 May 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Molecular Biology and Evolution
- Vol. 22 (9) , 1751-1763
- https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msi169
Abstract
We report the first comprehensive analysis of transposable element content in the compact genomes (∼20 Mb) of four species of Entamoeba unicellular protozoans for which draft sequences are now available. Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar, two human parasites, have many retrotransposons, but few DNA transposons. In contrast, the reptile parasite Entamoeba invadens and the free-living Entamoeba moshkovskii contain few long interspersed elements but harbor diverse and recently amplified populations of DNA transposons. Representatives of three DNA transposase superfamilies (hobo/Activator/Tam3, Mutator, and piggyBac) were identified for the first time in a protozoan species in addition to a variety of members of a fourth superfamily (Tc1/mariner), previously reported only from ciliates and Trichomonas vaginalis among protozoans. The diversity of DNA transposons and their differential amplification among closely related species with similar compact genomes are discussed in the context of the biology of Entamoeba protozoans.Keywords
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