Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
15:28
Primer Extension Capture: Targeted Sequence Retrieval from Heavily Degraded DNA Sources
Published on: September 3, 2009
Primate evolution of a dispersed human repetitive DNA sequence.
Chromosoma
|January 1, 1987
Summary
This study investigated human repetitive DNA's evolutionary relationship with primates. The DNA showed homology in apes and monkeys (Anthropoidea) but not in prosimians, suggesting early primate evolution differences.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Repetitive DNA sequences are crucial for understanding genome evolution.
- Human repetitive DNA elements offer insights into primate evolutionary history.
- Previous studies noted variations in repetitive DNA across species, including great apes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary relationship of a specific human repetitive DNA sequence with other primates.
- To determine the presence and distribution of this sequence in various primate species.
- To explore potential parallels with repetitive DNA evolution in other organisms.
Main Methods:
- DNA dot blot analysis
- Southern DNA blot analysis
- Chromosome in situ hybridization
Main Results:
- The human repetitive DNA sequence showed homology across the suborder Anthropoidea (apes and monkeys).
- Hybridization patterns were observed in fourteen ape and New/Old World monkey species.
- No hybridization was detected in five species of the suborder Prosimii.
- The human hybridization pattern targeted noncentromeric regions of all chromosomes in positive species.
Conclusions:
- This human repetitive DNA sequence is conserved within Anthropoidea but absent in Prosimii.
- The findings suggest significant changes in repetitive DNA occurred early in primate evolution.
- This phenomenon mirrors observations in other diverse taxa, highlighting convergent evolutionary processes.
Related Concept Videos
02:33Retroviruses
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
02:54Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
02:31Synteny and Evolution
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
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...
02:37Gene Duplication and Divergence
The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
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...