Exploring tRNA gene cluster in archaea.

BACKGROUND: Shared traits between prokaryotes and eukaryotes are helpful in the understanding of the tree of life evolution. In bacteria and eukaryotes, it has been shown a particular organisation of tRNA genes as clusters, but this trait has not been explored in the archaea domain.

OBJECTIVE: Explore the occurrence of tRNA gene clusters in archaea.

METHODS: In-silico analyses of complete and draft archaeal genomes based on tRNA gene isotype and synteny, tRNA gene cluster content and mobilome elements.

FINDINGS: We demonstrated the prevalence of tRNA gene clusters in archaea. tRNA gene clusters, composed of archaeal-type tRNAs, were identified in two Archaea class, Halobacteria and Methanobacteria from Euryarchaeota supergroup. Genomic analyses also revealed evidence of the association between tRNA gene clusters to mobile genetic elements and intra-domain horizontal gene transfer.

MAIN CONCLUSIONS: tRNA gene cluster occurs in the three domains of life, suggesting a role of this type of tRNA gene organisation in the biology of the living organisms.