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The evolution of protamine P1 genes in dasyurid marsupials

The evolution of protamine P1 genes in dasyurid marsupials We report the complete DNA sequences of the protamine P1 gene and flanking regions for 13 species of the marsupial family Dasyuridae. The structure of the protamine locus is conserved in dasyurids and consists of two exons (of lengths 142–151 and 47 bp) separated by an intron (208–240 bp). A key feature of the dasyund intron is a 38–40 by duplication found in all species examined to date. This duplication apparently predates the radiation of modern dasyurid lineages and may be homologous to a similar feature in the marsupial mole (Notoryctes). Sequences from a species of Planigale demonstrate that this genus is unique among marsupials in possessing cysteine residues in its protamine P1 molecules. Cysteines may provide enhanced chemical stability for condensed sperm nuclei, a physiological feature that would converge on the common eutherian pattern. Phylogenetic analysis of the protamine genes yields a tree that is largely congruent with previous molecular systematic studies in two areas: (1) There are three main dasyurid lineages corresponding to the Sminthopsinae, Dasyurinae, and Phascogalinae; (2) Dasyurinae and Phascogalinae are sister groups. This study is the first estimate of dasyurid relationships based on a nuclear DNA sequence. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Molecular Evolution Springer Journals

The evolution of protamine P1 genes in dasyurid marsupials

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References (27)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 by Springer-Verlag New York Inc
Subject
Life Sciences; Evolutionary Biology; Microbiology; Plant Sciences; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Cell Biology
ISSN
0022-2844
eISSN
1432-1432
DOI
10.1007/BF00175812
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

We report the complete DNA sequences of the protamine P1 gene and flanking regions for 13 species of the marsupial family Dasyuridae. The structure of the protamine locus is conserved in dasyurids and consists of two exons (of lengths 142–151 and 47 bp) separated by an intron (208–240 bp). A key feature of the dasyund intron is a 38–40 by duplication found in all species examined to date. This duplication apparently predates the radiation of modern dasyurid lineages and may be homologous to a similar feature in the marsupial mole (Notoryctes). Sequences from a species of Planigale demonstrate that this genus is unique among marsupials in possessing cysteine residues in its protamine P1 molecules. Cysteines may provide enhanced chemical stability for condensed sperm nuclei, a physiological feature that would converge on the common eutherian pattern. Phylogenetic analysis of the protamine genes yields a tree that is largely congruent with previous molecular systematic studies in two areas: (1) There are three main dasyurid lineages corresponding to the Sminthopsinae, Dasyurinae, and Phascogalinae; (2) Dasyurinae and Phascogalinae are sister groups. This study is the first estimate of dasyurid relationships based on a nuclear DNA sequence.

Journal

Journal of Molecular EvolutionSpringer Journals

Published: Jul 5, 2004

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