Comparative genomic analysis of the Morone saxatilis (striped bass) Hoxb4a gene : conservation and divergence of the Hoxb4 orthologs / by Robert M. Smith.

Author/creator Smith, Robert M. author.
Other author Scemama, Jean-Luc, degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Biology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Production2003.
Description177 leaves : illustrations (some color) ; 28 cm
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects

Summary Identification, sequencing and analysis of several Hox genes from the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) has previously been completed as part of a comprehensive molecular analysis of the Morone Hox gene complex. Here, a single (lambda) EMBL-3 genomic clone 15.3kb in length from the striped bass was sequenced and characterized utilizing restriction mapping techniques, subcloning methods, automated DNA sequencing and DNA sequence analysis. DNA sequence comparisons of this generated sequence to other known Hox gene sequences revealed extensive DNA sequence similarity and distinctive amino acid and nucleotide signatures indicative of other Hoxb4 genes. Comparative analysis of the Morone non-protein coding DNA sequence to that of other vertebrate Hoxb4 gene regions revealed seven positionally conserved regions of high (50% to 97%) sequence similarity. These conserved regions of 100bp to 200bp in length were present in all six species used in the comparative analysis (including tetrapod mammals and other teleosts fishes) indicating that these regions are under selective pressure and therefore, are likely islands of potential regulatory regions/elements. Also identified were additional regions conserved among the teleost species only. These results demonstrate that, in general, the probable regulatory regions of the Hoxb4 gene orthologs have been well conserved in terms of many of the regulatory regions and the gene coding regions, in particular. These observations indicate that the identified regions, conserved across highly evolutionarily divergent species, most likely play critical roles in the regulation of the expression of the Hoxb4 genes of vertebrates.
General notePresented to the faculty of the Department of Biology.
General noteAdvisor: Jean Luc Scemama
Dissertation noteM.S. East Carolina University 2003
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 98-105).
Genre/formdissertations.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

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