Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
12:20
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes: A Functional Genomics Tool for the Study of Positive-strand RNA Viruses
Published on: December 29, 2015
A 1.3 kb satellite DNA from Bubalus bubalis not conserved evolutionarily is transcribed
Sunita Bhatnagar1, Anu Bashamboo, Munmun Chattopadhyay
1Regional Plant Resource Centre, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar 751015, Orissa, India. sunita_bhatnagar@hotmail.com
Zeitschrift Fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of Biosciences
|January 26, 2005
Summary
This study cloned and sequenced a satellite DNA (pSB1) from Bubalus bubalis, revealing it contains transcribing elements and shares similarities with reverse transcriptase genes in related species.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Satellite DNA constitutes a significant portion of eukaryotic genomes.
- Understanding the function and evolutionary dynamics of satellite DNA is crucial for genomic research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clone, sequence, and characterize a novel satellite DNA element (pSB1) from Bubalus bubalis.
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation, genomic organization, and potential transcriptional activity of pSB1.
Main Methods:
- Genomic library construction and DNA sequencing.
- Southern blot hybridization and PCR amplification across Bovideae species.
- RNA slot-blot hybridization to assess tissue-specific expression.
- Bioinformatic analysis for identifying transcriptional elements and sequence homology.
Main Results:
- The 1.3 kb pSB1 satellite DNA is AT-rich and present in approximately 1400 copies in the Bubalus bubalis genome.
- pSB1 shows evolutionary conservation within the Bovideae family, with similar copy numbers in Bos indicus, Capra hircus, Ovis aries, and Bubalus bubalis.
- Transcriptional elements (NF-E1, Poly-A signal) and reverse transcriptase-like signatures were identified, with notable expression in spleen tissue.
- pSB1 exhibits significant sequence similarity (90%) to the reverse transcriptase gene of Bos taurus.
Conclusions:
- The satellite DNA clone pSB1 from Bubalus bubalis is associated with transcribing sequences.
- The findings suggest a potential role for satellite DNA in functional gene elements within higher vertebrates.
- Further research could explore the identification of functional genes linked to satellite DNA fractions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:05Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...
03:21Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
02:57DNA-only Transposons
DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
02:51Multi-species Conserved Sequences
Next-generation sequencing technologies have created large genomic databases of a variety of animals and plants. Ever since the human genome project was completed, scientists studied the genome of primates, mammals, and other phylogenetically distant living beings. Such large-scale studies have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
03:21Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.