Genomic organization

1 Description
Organisms have a vast array of ways in which their respective genomes are organized. A comparison of the genomic organization of six major model organisms shows
size expansion with the increase of complexity of the organism. There is a more than 300-fold dierence between the genome sizes of yeast and mammals, but only a
modest 4- to 5-fold increase in overall gene number (see
the gure on the right). However, the ratio of coding to
noncoding and repetitive sequences is indicative of the
complexity of the genome: The largely open genomes
of unicellular fungi have relatively little noncoding DNA
compared with the highly heterochromatic genomes of
multicellular organisms.
In particular, mammals have accumulated considerable
repetitive elements and noncoding regions, which account for the majority of their DNA sequences (52%
non-coding and 44% repetitive DNA).[1][2] Only 1.2% of
the mammalian genome thus encodes for protein function. This massive expansion of repetitive and noncoding sequences in multicellular organisms is most likely
due to the incorporation of invasive elements, such as
DNA transposons, retrotransposons, and other repetitive
Genome sizes and corresponding composition of six major model
[3]
organisms as pie charts. The increase in genome size correlates elements. The expansion of repetitive elements (such
with the vast expansion of noncoding (i.e., intronic, intergenic, as Alu sequences) has even inltrated the transcriptional
and interspersed repeat sequences) and repeat DNA (e.g., satel- units of the mammalian genome. This results in tranlite, LINEs, Short interspersed nuclear element (SINEs), DNA scription units that are frequently much larger (30-200
(Alu sequence), in red) sequences in more complex muiticellu- kb), commonly containing multiple promoters and DNA
lar organisms. This expansion is accompanied by an increase repeats within untranslated introns.
in the number of epigenetic mechanisms (particularly repressive)
that regulate the genome. Expansion of the genome also correlates with an increase in size and complexity of transcription
units, with the exception of plants. P = Promoter DNA element.

The vast expansion of the genome with noncoding and

repetitive DNA in higher eukaryotes implies more extensive epigenetic silencing mechanisms. Studies of the genomic organization is thought to be the future of genomic
the opportunity for personThe hereditary material i.e. DNA(deoxyribonuclic acid) medicine, which will provide
[4]
prognoses
in
clinics.
alized
of an organism is composed of an array of arrangement of
four nucleotides in a specic pattern. These nucleotides
present an inherent information as a function of their order. The genome of all organisms (except some viruses
and prions) is composed of one to multiple number of 2 See also
these DNA molecules. To draw an analogy it can be said
that genome when seen from viewpoint of sequences of
Genome Comparison
these nucleotides alone, is like a book which doesn't have
any chapters or paragraphs or even sentences. Hence,
Genome project
these nucleotides conceal a layer of unapparent information. Genomic organisation of an organism is this back List of sequenced eukaryotic genomes
ground layer of information which unassumingly provides
multiple layer of information to structure genome from
Molecular evolution
the array of nucleotide sequences.
1

References

[1] Venter G, et al., The Sequence of the Human Genome

Science (2001) 291. pp1304-51
[2] R. A. Harris et al., Human-Specic Changes of Genome
Structure Detected by Genomic Triangulation Science
(2007) 316.5822, pp. 235-7
[3] Haig H. Kazazian, Jr. Mobile Elements: Drivers of
Genome Evolution Science, Mar 2004; 303: 1626-32
[4] West M., et al., Embracing the complexity of genomic data for personalized medicine Genome Res.
(2006)16:559-66

REFERENCES

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Genomic organization Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genomic_organization?oldid=662260583 Contributors: Woohookitty, Dysmorodrepanis~enwiki, BlackAndy, Cucamber, Kosigrim, Tyrol5, Parashar Dhapola and Anonymous: 2

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