Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sequencing of the genomes of several <it>Drosophila </it>allows for the first precise analyses of how global sequence patterns change among multiple, closely related animal species. A basic question is whether there are c...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marín Ignacio, Arnau Vicente, Gallach Miguel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2007-11-01
Series:BMC Genomics
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/8/408
_version_ 1811248121457410048
author Marín Ignacio
Arnau Vicente
Gallach Miguel
author_facet Marín Ignacio
Arnau Vicente
Gallach Miguel
author_sort Marín Ignacio
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sequencing of the genomes of several <it>Drosophila </it>allows for the first precise analyses of how global sequence patterns change among multiple, closely related animal species. A basic question is whether there are characteristic features that differentiate chromosomes within a species or between different species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We explored the euchromatin of the chromosomes of seven <it>Drosophila </it>species to establish their global patterns of DNA sequence diversity. Between species, differences in the types and amounts of simple sequence repeats were found. Within each species, the autosomes have almost identical oligonucleotide profiles. However, X chromosomes and autosomes have, in all species, a qualitatively different composition. The X chromosomes are less complex than the autosomes, containing both a higher amount of simple DNA sequences and, in several cases, chromosome-specific repetitive sequences. Moreover, we show that the right arm of the X chromosome of <it>Drosophila pseudoobscura</it>, which evolved from an autosome 10 – 18 millions of years ago, has a composition which is identical to that of the original, left arm of the X chromosome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The consistent differences among species, differences among X chromosomes and autosomes and the convergent evolution of X and neo-X chromosomes demonstrate that strong forces are acting on drosophilid genomes to generate peculiar chromosomal landscapes. We discuss the relationships of the patterns observed with differential recombination and mutation rates and with the process of dosage compensation.</p>
first_indexed 2024-04-12T15:21:30Z
format Article
id doaj.art-39a6ccd679c14bb284847334a864333b
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1471-2164
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-12T15:21:30Z
publishDate 2007-11-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Genomics
spelling doaj.art-39a6ccd679c14bb284847334a864333b2022-12-22T03:27:24ZengBMCBMC Genomics1471-21642007-11-018140810.1186/1471-2164-8-408Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>Marín IgnacioArnau VicenteGallach Miguel<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sequencing of the genomes of several <it>Drosophila </it>allows for the first precise analyses of how global sequence patterns change among multiple, closely related animal species. A basic question is whether there are characteristic features that differentiate chromosomes within a species or between different species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We explored the euchromatin of the chromosomes of seven <it>Drosophila </it>species to establish their global patterns of DNA sequence diversity. Between species, differences in the types and amounts of simple sequence repeats were found. Within each species, the autosomes have almost identical oligonucleotide profiles. However, X chromosomes and autosomes have, in all species, a qualitatively different composition. The X chromosomes are less complex than the autosomes, containing both a higher amount of simple DNA sequences and, in several cases, chromosome-specific repetitive sequences. Moreover, we show that the right arm of the X chromosome of <it>Drosophila pseudoobscura</it>, which evolved from an autosome 10 – 18 millions of years ago, has a composition which is identical to that of the original, left arm of the X chromosome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The consistent differences among species, differences among X chromosomes and autosomes and the convergent evolution of X and neo-X chromosomes demonstrate that strong forces are acting on drosophilid genomes to generate peculiar chromosomal landscapes. We discuss the relationships of the patterns observed with differential recombination and mutation rates and with the process of dosage compensation.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/8/408
spellingShingle Marín Ignacio
Arnau Vicente
Gallach Miguel
Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>
BMC Genomics
title Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>
title_full Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>
title_fullStr Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>
title_full_unstemmed Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>
title_short Global patterns of sequence evolution in <it>Drosophila</it>
title_sort global patterns of sequence evolution in it drosophila it
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/8/408
work_keys_str_mv AT marinignacio globalpatternsofsequenceevolutioninitdrosophilait
AT arnauvicente globalpatternsofsequenceevolutioninitdrosophilait
AT gallachmiguel globalpatternsofsequenceevolutioninitdrosophilait