Large differences between LINE-1 amplification rates in the human and chimpanzee lineages.

ABSTRACT: The genomic evolution and causes of phenotypic variation among humans and great apes remain largely unknown, although the phylogenetic relationships among them have been extensively explored. Previous studies that focus on differences at the amino acid and nucleotide sequence levels have revealed a high degree of similarity between humans and chimpanzees, suggesting that other types of genomic change may have contributed to the relatively large phenotypic differences between them. For example, the activity of long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons may impose significant changes on genomic structure and function and, consequently, on phenotype. Here we investigate the relative rates of LINE-1 amplification in the lineages leading to humans, bonobos (Pan paniscus), and chimpan

SUBMITTER: Mathews LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1180250 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature