Evolutionary History of species-specific Alu repeats on the example of the MGMT gene of old world monkey

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the evolution of species-specific Alu repeats in orthologs of the MGMT gene in Cercopithecidae. Methods. The homology between nucleotide sequences has been determined by BLAST 2.6.1 program. The results of the search and identification of MGE have been realized by CENSOR program. Results. The investigation of the orthology of the MGMT gene in Old World monkeys has shown that different species-specific Alu repeats identified in intron sequences might have different evolutionary histories and dynamics of sequence degradation. An absence of species-specific Strepsirrhini Alu repeats in the MGMT gene of representatives of tarsier and New World monkeys and their selective distribution in Old World monkeys demand much more detailed phylogenetic studies.Conclusions. The evolutionary history of species-specific Alu repeats and the peculiarities of their degradation are individual.