Primate-specific evolution of an LDLR enhancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sequence changes in regulatory regions have often been invoked to explain phenotypic divergence among species, but molecular examples of this have been difficult to obtain.

Results

In this study we identified an anthropoid primate-specific sequence element that contributed to the regulatory evolution of the low-density lipoprotein receptor. Using a combination of close and distant species genomic sequence comparisons coupled with in vivo and in vitro studies, we found that a functional cholesterol-sensing sequence motif arose and was fixed within a pre-existing enhancer in the common ancestor of anthropoid primates.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates one molecular mechanism by which ancestral mammalian regulatory elements can evolve to perform new functions

SUBMITTER: Wang QF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1779597 | biostudies-literature | 2006

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature