Evolutionary implications of inversions that have caused intra-strand parity in DNA

19Citations
Citations of this article
36Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Background: Chargaff's rule of DNA base composition, stating that DNA comprises equal amounts of adenine and thymine (%A = %T) and of guanine and cytosine (%C = %G), is well known because it was fundamental to the conception of the Watson-Crick model of DNA structure. His second parity rule stating that the base proportions of double-stranded DNA are also reflected in single-stranded DNA (%A = %T, %C = %G) is more obscure, likely because its biological basis and significance are still unresolved. Within each strand, the symmetry of single nucleotide composition extends even further, being demonstrated in the balance of di-, tri-, and multi-nucleotides with their respective complementary oligonucleotides. Results: Here, we propose that inversions are sufficient to account for the symmetry within each single-stranded DNA. Human mitochondrial DNA does not demonstrate such intra-strand parity, and we consider how its different functional drivers may relate to our theory. This concept is supported by the recent observation that inversions occur frequently. Conclusion: Along with chromosomal duplications, inversions must have been shaping the architecture of genomes since the origin of life. © 2007 Okamura et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Okamura, K., Wei, J., & Scherer, S. W. (2007). Evolutionary implications of inversions that have caused intra-strand parity in DNA. BMC Genomics, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-8-160

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free