title: Alu sequences.
abstract: Alu sequences are frequently encountered during study of human genomic nucleic acid and form a major component of repetitive DNA. This review describes the origin of Alu sequences and their subsequent amplification and evolution into distinct subfamilies. In recent years a number of different functional roles for Alu sequences have been described. The multiple influences of Alu sequences on RNA polymerase II-mediated gene expression and the presence of Alu sequences in RNA polymerase III-generated transcripts are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Medicine Unit, The University of Leeds, St. James's University Hospital, UK. A.J.Mighell@leeds.ac.uk
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mighell
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005091:Exons; D015870:Gene Expression; D015321:Gene Rearrangement; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012313:RNA; D012320:RNA Polymerase III / Q000378:metabolism; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D012320:RNA Polymerase III