A test of the master gene hypothesis for interspersed repetitive DNA sequences

Johnson, L. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0006-1511 and Brookfield, J. F. (2006) A test of the master gene hypothesis for interspersed repetitive DNA sequences. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 23 (2). pp. 235-9. ISSN 0737-4038 doi: 10.1093/molbev/msj034

Abstract/Summary

Many families of interspersed repetitive DNA elements, including human Alu and LINE (Long Interspersed Element) elements, have been proposed to have accumulated through repeated copying from a single source locus: the "master gene." The extent to which a master gene model is applicable has implications for the origin, evolution, and function of such sequences. One repetitive element family for which a convincing case for a master gene has been made is the rodent ID (identifier) elements. Here we devise a new test of the master gene model and use it to show that mouse ID element sequences are not compatible with a strict master gene model. We suggest that a single master gene is rarely, if ever, likely to be responsible for the accumulation of any repeat family.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/10177
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords	Alu Elements/*genetics, Animals, *Evolution, Molecular, Gene Dosage/*genetics, Humans, Long Interspersed Nucleotide Elements/*genetics, *Models, Genetic, Quantitative Trait Loci/*genetics, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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