Ruminant globin gene structures suggest an evolutionary role for Alu-type repeats.
Bovine fetal and adult globin genes were cloned and subjected to DNA sequence analysis. Both of these genes contained insertions of Alu-type repetitive DNA within their introns. Comparison of cow and goat beta-type globin genes indicates that intragenic DNA insertions played a role in their evolution. These data support the theory that Alu-type repeats maintain genetic diversity by inhibiting gene conversion.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002417:Cattle; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005333:Fetus; D005796:Genes; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006041:Goats; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005914:Globins