Ultraconserved Sequences in the Honeybee Genome - Are GC-rich Regions Preferred?

Abstract

Among all insect genomes, honeybee displays one of the most unusual patterns with interspersed long AT and GC-rich segments. Nearly 75% of the protein-coding genes are located in the AT-rich segments of the genome, but the biological significance of the GC-rich regions is not well understood. Based on an observation that the bee miRNAs, actins and tubulins are located in the GC-rich segments, this work investigated whether other highly conserved genomic regions show similar preferences. Sequences ultraconserved between the genomes of honeybee and Nasonia, another hymenopteran insect, were determined. They showed strong preferences towards locating in the GC-rich regions of the bee genome.