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Evolution of the mouse polyubiquitin-C gene
Andrey A Perelygin1, Fyodor A Kondrashov, Igor B Rogozin
1Department of Biology, Georgia State University, 24 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. bioaap@panther.gsu.edu
Journal of Molecular Evolution
|July 11, 2002
Summary
Polymeric ubiquitin (poly-u) genes show high similarity due to homogenization. In rodents, this is caused by unequal crossing-over events in the ubiquitin-C (Ubc) gene.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Polymeric ubiquitin (poly-u) genes consist of tandem repeats.
- Ubiquitin is a highly conserved protein.
- High similarity among poly-u monomers suggests homogenization events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence and analyze the polyubiquitin-C (Ubc) genes in two mouse strains.
- To investigate the mechanism of homogenization in rodent Ubc genes.
- To estimate the frequency of unequal crossing-over events in the Ubc gene.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequencing of Ubc genes in mouse strains.
- Comparative sequence analysis with Chinese hamster and rat Ubc genes.
- Analysis of noncoding DNA divergence to estimate recombination frequency.
Main Results:
- Sequences of Ubc genes from two mouse strains were determined.
- Analysis supports unequal crossing-over as the homogenization mechanism in rodent Ubc genes.
- Frequency of unequal crossing-over estimated at 6.3 x 10^-5 events per generation.
- Evidence for apparent selection in the poly-u gene was found.
Conclusions:
- Unequal crossing-over is the primary driver of homogenization in rodent Ubc genes.
- The study provides a quantitative estimate for unequal crossing-over frequency.
- Findings contribute to understanding gene evolution and conservation mechanisms.