[Cloning and sequence analysis of alpha satellite DNA in Arctic fox]

Genomic DNAs from Arctic fox were cleaved with restriction enzymes. The prominent ethidium-bromide stanined bands were cloned and sequenced after separation of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis. Forty-two satellite sequences were obtained by sequencing. Sequence analyses revealed that the satellite monomer in length was 737 bp, with an average G+C content of 51.9%. There were 91%-97% homology among the monomers, and the monomer consisted of three subrepeats of approximately 245 bp in length with 51%-54% homology. The satellite DNAs were specific for canidae, and had 74% homology to the dog centromere-associated nucleotide sequences. In order to distinguish from another satellite DNAs of canidae genome, the satellite was designated as alpha satellite DNA.