Use of molecular beacons to verify that the serine hydroxymethyltransferase pseudogene SHMT-ps1 is unique to the order Primates.
BACKGROUND
The serine hydroxymethyltransferase processed pseudogene SHMT-ps1 has been suggested to be unique to the order Primates because of the failure to amplify this sequence by PCR from genomic DNAs of any non-primate mammal species. Here, 'molecular beacon' probes specific to SHMT-ps1 were used in an attempt to verify this suggestion.


RESULTS
In a search for SHMT-ps1-specific sequences using molecular beacons across a range of mammalian species, SHMT-ps1 was only found in primates. The molecular beacon assays also showed that SHMT-ps1 is present in both Old World and New World species but not among prosimians.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that SHMT-ps1 originated close to the origin of the Anthropoidea, some 40 to 50 million years ago.
Devor
E J
EJ
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., 1710 Commercial Park, Coralville, IA 52241, USA. rdevor@idtdna.com
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D006224:Cricetinae; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics; D004285:Dogs; D012696:Glycine Hydroxymethyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011323:Primates / Q000235:genetics*; D011544:Pseudogenes / Q000235:genetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine
D015342:DNA Probes; D004247:DNA; D012696:Glycine Hydroxymethyltransferase