Study of Evolutionary Dynamics of tRNA Genes in Cichlidae Family using the Comparative Mitogenomic Approach

Abstract

Transfer RNA (tRNA) genes of the mitochondrial genome are playing an essential role in protein biosynthesis. It consists of short nucleotide sequences, despite their fundamental importance for cell viability. tRNA genes are attracting more attention due to the highly dynamic and rapidly evolving. The primary objective of the current study was to detect the genetic variations and determine their nature in tRNA genes. The study predicated on three main steps: first, tRNA genes were surveyed for all cichlids species that exist in the database with a focus on the haplotilapiine species. Second, the secondary structure form was predicted for all tRNA genes. Third, the variations were detected in each tRNA and their location in the tRNA structure. The same steps were applied for different Egyptian tilapiine species (Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia zillii, and Sarotherodon galilaeus). Seven tRNA genes (trnSUGA, trnD, trnH, trnSGCU, trnLUAG, trnQ, and trnI) were chosen to amplified and sequenced.