Gene splice sites correlate with nucleosome positions

Abstract

Gene sequences in the vicinity of splice sites are found to possess dinucleotide periodicities, especially RR and YY, with the period close to the pitch of nucleosome DNA. This confirms previously reported finding about preferential positioning of splice junctions within the nucleosomes. The RR and YY dinucleotides oscillate counterphase, i.e., their respective preferred positions are shifted about half-period one from another, as it was observed earlier for AA and TT dinucleotides. Species specificity of nucleosome positioning DNA pattern is indicated by predominant use of the periodical GG(CC) dinucleotides in human and mouse genes, as opposed to predominant AA(TT) dinucleotides in Arabidopsis and C.elegans. Keywords: chromatin; gene splicing; intron; exon; dinucleotide; periodical pattern