Sequence heterogeneity of the envelope-like domain in the Egyptian cotton Gossypium barbadense

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the evolution of env-like sequences in the Egyptian cotton 
Gossypium barbadense. DNA sequence determination and analysis of env-like sequences revealed that 
these sequences are heterogeneous in G. barbadense. The observed sequence diversity, however, 
seems to preserve the coding information. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that plant env -like 
sequences group together, suggesting their monophyletic origin. Gossypium env-like sequences are, 
however, more closely related to elements present in other plant species. Our result suggests that env
like sequences in cotton have evolved under functional constraint and likely to play a role in the life 
cycle of these elements.