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Review
. 2002 Nov 15;21(22):5955-9.
doi: 10.1093/emboj/cdf612.

Variation in satellite DNA profiles--causes and effects

Durdica Ugarković  1 , Miroslav Plohl
Affiliations
Review

Variation in satellite DNA profiles--causes and effects

Durdica Ugarković et al. EMBO J. .

Abstract

Heterochromatic regions of the eukaryotic genome harbour DNA sequences that are repeated many times in tandem, collectively known as satellite DNAs. Different satellite sequences co-exist in the genome, thus forming a set called a satellite DNA library. Within a library, satellite DNAs represent independent evolutionary units. Their evolution can be explained as a result of change in two parameters: copy number and nucleotide sequence, both of them ruled by the same mechanisms of concerted evolution. Individual change in either of these two parameters as well as their simultaneous evolution can lead to the genesis of species-specific satellite profiles. In some cases, changes in satellite DNA profiles can be correlated with chromosomal evolution and could possibly influence the evolution of species.

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Figures

None
Fig. 1. Schematic representation of a satellite DNA library composed of five different satellites shown in different colours. The height of each column denotes the number of copies, while a change in colour marks sequence divergence. (A) In the hypothetical species (population), the satellite profile remains conserved in both sequence and copy number relative to the original satellite set. (B) Variation in satellite profile is obtained by a change in copy number of one or more satellites from the library without sequence change. In this example, the copy number of two satellites is changed. (C) The satellite profile is changed due to a nucleotide sequence divergence of one or more satellites, while copy number remains conserved. In this example, only the sequence of a major satellite DNA is changed, while minor satellites remain conserved in sequence. (D) Variation in satellite profile due to concurrent changes in sequence and in copy number of one or more satellites from the library.
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