ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2003
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2003 International Scholars Journals
Molecular distribution of gypsy-like retrotransposons in cotton Gossypium Spp.
Essam A. Zaki1* and Abdel Ghany A. Abdel Ghany2
1Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, GEBRI, Research Area, Borg El Arab, Post Code 21934, Alexandria
2Institute of Efficient Productivity, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Accepted 18 April, 2003
Abstract
PCR primers specific for conserved domains of the reverse transcriptase (RT) genes of gypsy-like retrotransposons amplified their corresponding gene in two Gossypium barbadense cultivars. Analysis with the FASTA software showed a high DNA sequence homology to pine, gypsy LTR-retrotransposon. Using the PCR product as a hybridization probe, gypsy-like retrotransposons were detected in wild type species of Gossypium, suggesting that gypsy-like retrotransposons are present in the Gossypium genome. This supports the view that gypsy-like retrotransposons are major components of plant genomes. Our results suggest gypsy-like retrotransposons have played a fundamental role in the shaping and evolution of the Gossypium genome.
Key words: Gossypium, gypsy, polyploidy, retroelements, retrotransposons, retroviruses, reverse transcriptase.