This is a test version of Biostars. For the public version, visit https://www.biostars.org.
ORFfinder DNA single-strand

Hi! I have a very easy question about ORFfinder:

I have the DNA sequence of a virus. It's a ssDNA, but when I analise it with ORFfinder, the software gives me 6 reading frames. Why does it happen? I expected to have just 3.

Thank you so much.

gene

1 answer

Why does it happen?

All ORF-finding programs start from a ssDNA molecule, yet it is common to expect that ORFs may be on either strand and therefore the search is performed in 6 reading frames. Not sure that any ORF/gene finder has an option to look only at the provided DNA strand.

The "funny" thing is that I found 2 ORFs: One of them in the +1 reading frame and the other one in the -1. So, I don't know how to explain the second (on a ssDNA).

P.D.: I am a rookie on this... I feel that my questions have no sense.

Log in to answer this question.