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Free left arms as precursor molecules in the evolution of Alu sequences

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Summary

The dimeric Alu molecule of human and other primates is composed of a left and a right arm that are very similar but show characteristic differences. If the Alu sequence has arisen through the fusion of monomeric precursor molecules, the traces of such precursor genes are expected still to be present in contemporary primate DNA. We report finding seven independent human DNA sequences that qualify s descendants of a left-arm precursor gene. Some characteristics in primary and secondary structures of these sequences are described.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine, 440 Page Mill Road, 94306, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Jerzy Jurka & Emile Zuckerkandl

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  1. Jerzy Jurka
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  2. Emile Zuckerkandl
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Jurka, J., Zuckerkandl, E. Free left arms as precursor molecules in the evolution of Alu sequences. J Mol Evol 33, 49–56 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02100195

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