engleski

The species-specificity and evolution of satellite DNAs with emphasis on satellite DNAs in tenebrionid beetles

Satellite DNAs are highly reiterated non-coding sequences, organized in long arrays of tandem repeats that represent major DNA constituents of heterochromatic genome compartments. Satellite monomers build domains that stretch over functionally important regions such as that of the functional centromere. In short evolutionary periods satellite DNA components often change rapidly in copy number, nucleotide sequence, or both. Species specific profiles of satellite repeats can be formed by differential amplification of sequences coexisting in the genomes of a group of related organisms as a common library of satellite DNAs. This hypothesis has been experimentally approved for the first time in an analysis of satellite sequences in species of the genus Palorus (Insecta, Coleoptera). Due to the complexity of their evolution, the application of satellite DNAs in phylogenetic studies has limitations and results should be interpreted cautiously. Nevertheless, satellites can help to resolve phylogenetic relationships in some cases and in addition they can represent excellent and reliable molecular markers in the identification of some organisms.

heterochromatin; repetitive sequences; concerted evolution; library hypothesis; molecular markers; phylogenetic studies

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