Putative G-quadruplexes in the genome of unconventional retrovirus bovine foamy virus

Abstract

Aim. The goal of the present study was the determination of such conservative non-B-DNA structures as conservative G-quadruplexes, which can be formed by two and three G-quartets in the mRNA, sense and antisense strands of the bovine foamy virus proviral DNA. Conclusions. Conservative G4s are unevenly distributed throughout the BFV genome. A distinctive feature of the BFV genomic organization is the fact that the antisense strand of the BFV proviral DNA is characterized by a significantly higher density of G-quadruplexes compared to one of the sense strands. The QGRS Mapper software detects a significantly higher number of potential G4s (34 G4s in antisense strand of BFV proviral DNA) compared to the G4Hunter software (7 G4s).