Comprehensive Analysis of Tandem Repeat Sequences in Cyanobacteria Genome

Over the past year, two complete genome sequences of the cyanobacteria (filamentous nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 [3] and thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 [6]) became available in addition to the Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 genome [4]. Additionally, five species are in draft to finishing phase and other eight genome projects are also in progress. Among these genomes, some repeat sequences have been identified, however, their functions are not yet characterized well [5]. In this research, we have applied comprehensive search for tandem repeat sequences on each cyanobacterium genome. From this screening, we have found new tandem repeat units in addition to previously reported repeat sequences such as STRRs (short tandemly repeated repetitive) and LTRRs (long tandemly repeated repetitive) sequences [5].