Tandem repeats and length variation in the mitochondrial DNA control region of Epirrita autumnata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Genome ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Snäll ◽  
K Huoponen ◽  
M -L Savontaus ◽  
K Ruohomäki

The organization of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) of the autumnal moth, Epirrita autumnata, is described. The E. autumnata CR presents a distinct type of lepidopteran CR with domains of non-repetitive and repetitive sequences. The CRs show considerable length variation owing to a variable number of short ~29-bp sequence blocks that are repeated between 6 and 14 times in tandem. The organization of such a tandem array is unique among the insect CRs examined so far. Furthermore, the E. autumnata CR, which may reach 1075 bp in length, is considerably longer than previously reported lepidopteran CRs, which reach 311–499 bp in length. Like other lepidopteran CRs, the E. autumnata CR contains two long homopolymer runs that may be involved in mtDNA replication and (or) transcription.Key words: Lepidoptera, Epirrita autumnata, mitochondrial DNA, control region, tandem array.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Wade Jamandre ◽  
Jean-Dominique Durand ◽  
Wann-Nian Tzeng

The sequence and structure of the complete mtDNA control region (CR) ofM. cephalusfrom African, Pacific, and Atlantic populations are presented in this study to assess its usefulness in phylogeographic studies of this species. The mtDNA CR sequence variations amongM. cephaluspopulations largely exceeded intraspecific polymorphisms that are generally observed in other vertebrates. The length of CR sequence varied amongM. cephaluspopulations due to the presence of indels and variable number of tandem repeats at the3′hypervariable domain. The high evolutionary rate of the CR in this species probably originated from these mutations. However, no excessive homoplasic mutations were noticed. Finally, the star shaped tree inferred from the CR polymorphism stresses a rapid radiation worldwide, in this species. The CR still appears as a good marker for phylogeographic investigations and additional worldwide samples are warranted to further investigate the genetic structure and evolution inM. cephalus.


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengguo Fang ◽  
Qianghua Xu

AbstractVariable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) are present in the control region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the alligatorid species; however, the evolutionary dynamics of the repetitive sequences and the significance of the VNTRs in the context of genetic monitoring of these species are not well explored. The Chinese alligator, Alligator sinensis is critically endangered and is now largely in captive breeding. Previous studies in mitochondrial genes revealed little genetic diversity existing within the populations. We reported here the structural variation and evolutionary features of mtVNTRs in the Changxing population of the species. The mtVNTRs contained 676∼785 base pairs, made up by 5 distinct motifs repeated 31∼36 times in 32 individuals examined. The motifs were 21∼22 nts in length, with high sequence similarity between each other and with those of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), indicating origination of the mtVNTRs from a single ancestral duplication unit in both species. The 5′ and 3′ portions of the repetitive sequences in the Chinese alligator were very much conserved among the individuals, while those in the middle showed a higher degree of sequence variation. The frequency of each motif appearing in the mtVNTRs showed positive correlation to the binding energy of the potential secondary structure the motif could adopt. 17 VNTR types, of which, 6 from the second generation and 12 from the third generation were identified from the samples. Analysis of the multiple VNTR types showed a high level of stochastic mutation within each generation. The suitability of the mtVNTRs as a marker to monitor the genetic differentiation of the Chinese alligator was also discussed.


2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 15059J ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. B. Stewart ◽  
Constance L. Fisher ◽  
Patricia J. Aagaard ◽  
Mark R. Wilson ◽  
Alice R. Isenberg ◽  
...  

Ibis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 146 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Angeles Hernández ◽  
Francisco Campos ◽  
Francisco Gutiérrez-Corchero ◽  
Ana Amezcua

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Sindičić ◽  
Tomislav Gomerčić ◽  
Ana Galov ◽  
Primož Polanc ◽  
Đuro Huber ◽  
...  

Gene ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 465 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunori Okada ◽  
Yuji Yamazaki ◽  
Shinichi Yokobori ◽  
Hiroshi Wada

Genome ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiliano Mancini ◽  
Alessio De Biase ◽  
Paolo Mariottini ◽  
Alessandro Bellini ◽  
Paolo Audisio

The organization of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) of the pollen beetle Meligethes thalassophilus is described. This mtDNA CR represents the longest sequenced for beetles so far, since the entire nucleotide sequence ranges from ~5000 to ~5500 bp. The CR of M. thalassophilus is organized in three distinct domains: a conserved domain near the tRNAIle gene, a variable domain flanking the 12S rRNA gene, and a relatively large central tandem array made up of a variable number of ~170 bp repeats that is responsible for the intraspecific length variation observed. Like other CRs found in insects, the M. thalassophilus CR contains two long homopolymeric runs that may be involved in mtDNA replication. Furthermore, conserved stem-and-loop structures in the repetitive domain were identified and their possible role in generating length variation is examined. Intraspecific comparison of the tandem repeat elements of M. thalassophilus suggests mechanisms of concerted evolution leading to homogenization of the repetitive region. The utility of such an array of tandem repeats as a genetic marker for assessing population-level variability and evolutionary relationships among populations is discussed. Finally, the technical difficulties found in isolating the mtDNA CR in beetles are remarked upon.


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