| Anonymous | |
|---|---|
| Log in for more site access. | |
 | |
Expansion and Redistribution of Heterochromatin
Certainty Style Key
Hover over keys for definitions:
True
Likely
Speculative
Human Uniqueness Compared to "Great Apes":
Absolute DifferenceMOCA Domain:
GenomicsHeterochromatin is compact DNA that consists primarily of genetically inactive satellite sequences and that is involved in gene regulation and chromosomal integrity. Centromeres and telomeres, and pericentric and subtelomeric regions, contain constitutive heterochromatin (C-bands). Human lineage-specific changes include heterochromatin expansion, such as the appearance of novel C-bands on chromosomes 1, 9, 16 and Y, and unique alphoid sequences (satellite sequences involved in centromere function and comprising a large portion of centeromeric sequence content) resulting from rapid evolution of alpha satellites in the primate lineage. There are also unique duplication insertion sites of alpha satellite DNA in humans, involving 16p11 and 4q24 and chromosomal human alphoid sequences exist in unique locations compared to those of non-human primates.
The Human Difference:
Expansion
Redistribution
References:
Dumas L, Kim YH, Karimpou-Fard A et al (2007). Gene copy number variation spanning 60 million years of human and primate evolution. Genome Research 17:1266-1277.
Horvath J, Viggiano L, Loftus BJ et al (1999). Molecular structure and evolution of an alpha satellite/non-alpha satellite junction at 16p11. Human Molecular Genetics 9(1):113-123.
Archidiacono N, Antonacci R, Marzella R et al (1995). Comparative mapping of human alphoid sequences in great apes using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Genomics Jan 20; 25(2):477-84.
Yunis JJ and Prakash O (1982). The origin of man: a chromosomal pictorial legacy. Science 19 March; 215(4539):1525-1530.