Comparative mapping of human alphoid satellite DNA repeat sequences in the great apes

Rhea V. Samonte, K. H. Ramesh, Ram S. Verma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heterochromatic regions of chromosomes contain highly repetitive, tandemly arranged DNA sequences that undergo very rapid variation compared to unique DNA sequences that are predominantly conserved. In this study the chromosomal basis of speciation has been looked at in terms of repeat sequences. We have hybridized twenty-one chromosome-specific human alphoid satellite DNA probes to metaphase spreads of the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) to investigate the evolutionary relationship of heterochromatic regions among such hominoid species. The majority of the probes did not hybridize to their corresponding equivalent chromosome but presented hybridization signals on non-corresponding chromosomes. Such observations suggest that rapid changes may have occurred in the ancestral alphoid satellite DNA sequence, resulting in divergence among the great ape species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)97-104
Number of pages8
JournalGenetica
Volume101
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Alphoid sequence
  • Apes chromosomes
  • Chimpanzee
  • DNA repeat sequence
  • Gorilla
  • Orangutan

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Genetics
  • Plant Science
  • Insect Science

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