Keywords
Alu subfamilies, Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), Sequence alignment methodology, Correspondence analysis (statistical), Amplification/fixation model
Abstract
The primate Alu family of repetitive elements has been widely characterized. This ubiquitous class of retroposons has been found to occupy some 5% of the human genome. This heterogenous group of Short Interspersed Nucleic add Elements (SINEs) has been theorized to possess an identifiable subfamily structure between and within various taxonomic levels in primates. It has been postulated that humans possess up to 6 Alu subfamilies in their genome; this number, however, has varied according to the method of analysis performed on the data. Quentin (1988) analyzed 127 aligned Alu sequences and found evidence supporting the amplification/fixation theory in 5 subfamilies. The research presented in this thesis posits that Quentin's method of alignment used in the correspondence analysis is questionable. A reexamination using an alternative, perhaps more tenable, alignment of the Alu sequences may allow for a more lucid and accurate identification of Alu subfamily structure in the human genome.
Graduation Date
1994
Semester
Fall
Advisor
Sweet, Haven C.
Degree
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Degree Program
Biology
Format
Language
English
Rights
Written permission granted by copyright holder to the University of Central Florida Libraries to digitize and distribute for nonprofit, educational purposes.
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
Identifier
DP0011936
Subjects
Sequence alignment (Bioinformatics); Nucleotide sequence--Statistical methods; DNA--Analysis; Biology--Classification--Molecular aspects; Primates--Research
STARS Citation
York, William A., "Re-examining Subfamily Classifications For the Alu Family of Repeated DNA Sequences" (1994). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 3599.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/3599
Accessibility Status
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