tRNA of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin as structural units of eukaryotic mobile genetic elements

Abstract

Aims. To examine whether bacterial tRNAs are a source of SINE elements and whether tRNAs of procaryotic and eukaryotic origin are components of MGE of other classes. Methods. Sequences that are homologous fragments of eukaryotic MGE have been determined using the program Censor. Results. The sequences of tRNAs of bacterial origin were shown to be a source of SINE elements. It was shown that the sequences of tRNAs of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origin are components of other classes of MGE and in the case of eukaryotic tRNA sequences they are a source of the satellite repeats as well. Conclusions. The sequences of prokaryotic and eukaryotic tRNAs are not only a source of SINE elements, but also of the structural units of other MGE classes, namely, LTR-retrotransposons, and DNA transposons.

Key words: tRNA, mobile genetic elements, SINE elements, structural units.