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Mys, a family of mammalian transposable elements isolated by phylogenetic screening

Nature volume 317, pages 77–81 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

It has recently been demonstrated both emperically1–3 and mathematically4 that transposable elements may spread rapidly throughout a population once introduced even when they dramatically reduce the fitness of individuals that carry them. Such events result in pronounced differences in the phylogenetic distribution of genetic elements capable of rapid genome invasion. Using a simple and general procedure to screen the genome of the white footed mouse Peromyscus leucopus, we have isolated a family of retrovirus-like elements which is apparently absent from the genome of the house mouse Mus domesticus. Here, we report this procedure and an analysis of the organization, phylogenetic distribution and sequence of this family of transposable elements.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Holly A. Wichman

    Present address: School of Basic Life Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 64110, USA

  2. S. Steven Potter & Daniel S. Pine

    Present address: Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Elland and Bethesda Avenues, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06457, USA

    Holly A. Wichman, S. Steven Potter & Daniel S. Pine

  2. School of Basic Life Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 64110, USA

    S. Steven Potter & Daniel S. Pine

Authors
  1. Holly A. Wichman
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  2. S. Steven Potter
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  3. Daniel S. Pine
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Wichman, H., Potter, S. & Pine, D. Mys, a family of mammalian transposable elements isolated by phylogenetic screening. Nature 317, 77–81 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/317077a0

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