Isolation from the horse genome of a new DNA transposon belonging to the Tigger family

Mamm Genome. 2004 May;15(5):399-403. doi: 10.1007/s00335-004-3040-6.

Abstract

Tigger elements are human DNA transposons homologous to the pogo element of Drosophila melanogaster. They contain an open reading frame for a transposase very similar to the major mammalian centromere protein CENP-B. We found in the horse genome a DNA element ( Ecatig3) sharing 88% homology with human Tigger3. The presence of Tigger elements in the horse genome confirms previous data that date these elements before the divergence between Perissodactyla and Primates (80-90 Myr ago). Copy number evaluation indicates that the horse element is much more abundant than its human counterpart. Southern blot analysis demonstrates that Ecatig3 elements are extremely homogeneous; this may indicate that the evolution of this DNA transposon has been driven by some kind of selection and has not been neutral.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Dosage
  • Genome*
  • Horses / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Selection, Genetic*
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY382599