MBE Advance Access originally published online on October 12, 2005
Molecular Biology and Evolution 2006 23(2):235-239; doi:10.1093/molbev/msj034
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Research Article |
A Test of the Master Gene Hypothesis for Interspersed Repetitive DNA Sequences
Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
E-mail: john.brookfield{at}nottingham.ac.uk.
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.
Key Words: SINE repetitive DNA master gene ID element BC1