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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Single Cell Multiplex Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction After Patch-clamp
Published on: June 20, 2018
Use of molecular beacons to verify that the serine hydroxymethyltransferase pseudogene SHMT-ps1 is unique to the
1Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA 52241, USA. rdevor@idtdna.com
Background:
The serine hydroxymethyltransferase processed pseudogene SHMT-ps1 has been suggested to be unique to the order Primates because of the failure to amplify this sequence by PCR from genomic DNAs of any non-primate mammal species. Here, 'molecular beacon' probes specific to SHMT-ps1 were used in an attempt to verify this suggestion.
Results:
In a search for SHMT-ps1-specific sequences using molecular beacons across a range of mammalian species, SHMT-ps1 was only found in primates. The molecular beacon assays also showed that SHMT-ps1 is present in both Old World and New World species but not among prosimians.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that SHMT-ps1 originated close to the origin of the Anthropoidea, some 40 to 50 million years ago.
