Global Microsatellite Content Distinguishes Humans, Primates, Animals, and Plants

Global microsatellite content distinguishes humans, primates, animals, and plants.

Microsatellites are highly mutable, repetitive sequences commonly used as genetic markers, but they have never been studied en masse. Using a custom microarray to measure hybridization intensities of every possible repetitive nucleotide motif from 1-mers to 6-mers, we examined 25 genomes. Here, we show that global microsatellite content varies predictably by species, as measured by array hybrid...

Essential trace elements for plants, animals and humans

A field trial, a pot experiment and a survey in organically farmed leys were undertaken to investigate whether the N-fixation in red clover pastures in Norway was limited by a low supply of Co and/or Mo. Fertilization with Mo did not cause any higher production nor Nfixation, whereas the N-yield both from established clover leys and red clover grown in pots increased slightly after application ...

MicroRNA-Driven Developmental Remodeling in the Brain Distinguishes Humans from Other Primates

While multiple studies have reported the accelerated evolution of brain gene expression in the human lineage, the mechanisms underlying such changes are unknown. Here, we address this issue from a developmental perspective, by analyzing mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in two brain regions within macaques, chimpanzees, and humans throughout their lifespan. We find that constitutive gene exp...

Cooperation in Primates and Humans

Biology of Isospora spp. from humans, nonhuman primates, and domestic animals.

Coccidial parasites of the genus Isospora cause intestinal disease in several mammalian host species. These protozoal parasites have asexual and sexual stages within intestinal cells of their hosts and produce an environmentally resistant cyst stage, the oocyst. Infections are acquired by the ingestion of infective (sporulated) oocysts in contaminated food or water. Some species of mammalian Is...