Short Tandem Repeats in plants: Genomic distribution and function prediction

Background: Short Tandem repeats (STRs) existed as popular elements in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic genomes. Results: In this study, we analyzed the characteristics, distributions, and motif features of STRs within whole-genomes of 140 plant species. The results showed that STR density was negatively correlated with the genome size. Hexanucleotide repeat was the most abundant type of STRs. The distribution of algae shows a preference different from that of other plants. By analyzing GC contents of STRs and genome, it was concluded that STR motif was influenced by GC contents. Analysis of the long STRs in genome (length >= 1000 bp) found that dicots have the more long STRs. For STR types, di- and tri-nucleotide accounted for the highest proportion. Analyzing and designing long STRs in CDS (length >= 500 bp) was to verify the role of long STRs in Gossypium hirsutum TM-1 and Solanum tuberosum. By comparing the long STRs found in Fragaria x ananassa with other species, some evolutionary characteristics of the long STRs were obtained. Conclusions: We got the characteristics, distribution, and motif features of STRs in the whole genome of 140 plants and obtained some evolutionary characteristics of long STRs. The study provides useful insights into STR preference, characteristics, and distribution in plants. (C) 2020 Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the characteristics, distribution, and motif features of STRs in the whole genome of 140 plants, revealing a negative correlation between STR density and genome size, hexanucleotide repeat as the most abundant type, and a unique distribution preference in algae. Long STRs were found to be more prevalent in dicots, with dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats dominating. Analysis of long STRs in specific genes verified their evolutionary characteristics, providing valuable insights into the preferences and distribution of STRs in plants.