title: Divergence of primate ribosomal RNA genes as assayed by restriction enzyme analysis.
abstract: Primate ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes have been compared by restriction endonuclease mapping. In all species examined, the restriction map of the reiterated ribosomal DNA is simple (within the limits of detection by hybridization with rRNA) and is consistent with a high degree of homogeneity among the repeats. Within a species, all members have similar rDNA restriction patterns. However, different species of primates have distinctly different rDNA restriction maps; even chimpanzee and man can be discerned by their rDNA restriction patterns. Possible mechanisms for maintenance of homogeneity of the rDNA repeats within a species, while allowing divergence among closely related species, are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002520:Cercopithecidae / Q000235:genetics; D002521:Cercopithecus / Q000235:genetics; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops / Q000235:genetics; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005796:Genes; D006801:Humans; D008251:Macaca / Q000235:genetics; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000235:genetics; D010215:Papio / Q000235:genetics; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D004247:DNA; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes