The birth of microsatellites
Article Abstract:
The expansion of microsatellites, small tandem nucleotide repeats sequences in the genomes of eukaryotes, initially occurs slowly during evolution. Analysis of the eta-globin pseudogene region in primates indicates that the region is just one nucleotide away from the formation of two types of simple repeat sequences. In hominoids, substitution of a G to an A occurs along the lineage leading to the common ancestor of the African apes and humans, and produces a tetranucleotide repeat. Point mutations produce repeat units for microsatellite expansion.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Microbial genomes opened up
Article Abstract:
Scientists have now identified 12 complete sequences of bacterial genomes, along with the complete sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the budding yeast. In almost all of the fully sequenced genomes, there are cases of missing open reading frames, long runs of coding triples without stop codons. In these cases, biochemical activities have been identified but the genes responsible have not been discovered. Of all the missing genes, there are most unanswered questions about those of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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