SINEs point to abundant editing in the human genome

Genome Biol. 2005;6(4):216. doi: 10.1186/gb-2005-6-4-216. Epub 2005 Mar 31.

Abstract

Recent bioinformatic analyses suggest that almost all human transcripts are edited by adenosine deaminases (ADARs), converting adenosines to inosines. Most of this editing is in Alu element transcripts, which are unique to primates. This editing might have no function or might be involved in functions such as the regulation of splicing, chromatin or nuclear localization of transcripts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Deaminase / metabolism
  • Alu Elements / genetics
  • Genome, Human / genetics*
  • Humans
  • RNA Editing / genetics*
  • Short Interspersed Nucleotide Elements / genetics*

Substances

  • Adenosine Deaminase