Use of molecular beacons to verify that the serine hydroxymethyltransferase pseudogene
Background:
The serine hydroxymethyltransferase processed pseudogene SHMT-ps1 has been suggested to be unique to the order Primates because of the failure to amplify this sequence by PCR from genomic DNAs of any non-primate mammal species. Here, 'molecular beacon' probes specific to SHMT-ps1 were used in an attempt to verify this suggestion.
Results:
In a search for SHMT-ps1-specific sequences using molecular beacons across a range of mammalian species, SHMT-ps1 was only found in primates. The molecular beacon assays also showed that SHMT-ps1 is present in both Old World and New World species but not among prosimians.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that SHMT-ps1 originated close to the origin of the Anthropoidea, some 40 to 50 million years ago.
Complete Metadata
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[
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|
| description | Background: The serine hydroxymethyltransferase processed pseudogene SHMT-ps1 has been suggested to be unique to the order Primates because of the failure to amplify this sequence by PCR from genomic DNAs of any non-primate mammal species. Here, 'molecular beacon' probes specific to SHMT-ps1 were used in an attempt to verify this suggestion. Results: In a search for SHMT-ps1-specific sequences using molecular beacons across a range of mammalian species, SHMT-ps1 was only found in primates. The molecular beacon assays also showed that SHMT-ps1 is present in both Old World and New World species but not among prosimians. Conclusions: These results suggest that SHMT-ps1 originated close to the origin of the Anthropoidea, some 40 to 50 million years ago. |
| distribution |
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"@type": "dcat:Distribution",
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| identifier | https://healthdata.gov/api/views/44r5-f6zp |
| issued | 2025-07-13 |
| keyword |
[
"gene-evolution",
"molecular-beacon-assay",
"nih",
"primate-genetics",
"shmt-ps1-pseudogene"
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| landingPage | https://healthdata.gov/d/44r5-f6zp |
| modified | 2025-09-06 |
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| publisher |
{
"name": "National Institutes of Health",
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| theme |
[
"NIH"
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|
| title | Use of molecular beacons to verify that the serine hydroxymethyltransferase pseudogene |