FA-SAT Is an Old Satellite DNA Frozen in Several Bilateria Genomes

Genome Biol Evol. 2017 Nov 1;9(11):3073-3087. doi: 10.1093/gbe/evx212.

Abstract

In recent years, a growing body of evidence has recognized the tandem repeat sequences, and specifically satellite DNA, as a functional class of sequences in the genomic "dark matter." Using an original, complementary, and thus an eclectic experimental design, we show that the cat archetypal satellite DNA sequence, FA-SAT, is "frozen" conservatively in several Bilateria genomes. We found different genomic FA-SAT architectures, and the interspersion pattern was conserved. In Carnivora genomes, the FA-SAT-related sequences are also amplified, with the predominance of a specific FA-SAT variant, at the heterochromatic regions. We inspected the cat genome project to locate FA-SAT array flanking regions and revealed an intensive intermingling with transposable elements. Our results also show that FA-SAT-related sequences are transcribed and that the most abundant FA-SAT variant is not always the most transcribed. We thus conclude that the DNA sequences of FA-SAT and their transcripts are "frozen" in these genomes. Future work is needed to disclose any putative function that these sequences may play in these genomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Carnivora / genetics
  • Cats / genetics*
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods
  • Chromosome Mapping / veterinary
  • Chromosomes, Mammalian*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression
  • Genomics
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / methods
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / veterinary
  • Sequence Analysis

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • DNA, Satellite
  • DNA