Tag

Alu Elements

All articles tagged with #alu elements

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"The Genetic Mystery of Human Tail Loss Unraveled by Scientists"

Scientists have discovered a unique DNA mutation within the TBXT gene that is linked to the disappearance of ancestral tails in humans and apes, shedding light on the evolutionary transition. This mutation involves Alu elements, which can cause the removal of an entire exon during RNA splicing, leading to tail loss. The study's findings not only deepen our understanding of evolutionary biology but also open new avenues for genomic analysis, as alternative splicing mechanisms may underlie various evolutionary changes in traits.

via indy100|

#alu-elements #evolution #genetics

genetics2 years ago•59 min saved

"The Genetic Mystery of Human Tail Loss Unraveled"

The genetic basis of tail-loss evolution in humans and apes is explored, with a focus on the role of Alu elements in the TBXT gene. The study identifies a hominoid-specific intronic AluY element in TBXT that induces alternative splicing, leading to the production of a TBXTΔexon6 isoform. This isoform is found to be associated with tail loss, as evidenced by experiments in human ES cells and mouse models. The findings provide insights into the genetic mechanism underlying the loss of the tail in hominoids and its potential link to human traits such as bipedalism.

via Nature.com|

#alu-elements #evolution #genetics