Comparison of fine-scale recombination rates in humans and chimpanzees.

Journal article

We compared fine-scale recombination rates at orthologous loci in humans and chimpanzees by analyzing polymorphism data in both species. Strong statistical evidence for hotspots of recombination was obtained in both species. Despite approximately 99% identity at the level of DNA sequence, however, recombination hotspots were found rarely (if at all) at the same positions in the two species, and no correlation was observed in estimates of fine-scale recombination rates. Thus, local patterns of recombination rate have evolved rapidly, in a manner disproportionate to the change in DNA sequence.

Authors: Winckler, W; Myers, S; Richter, D; Onofrio, R; McDonald, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)
• Volume: 308
• Issue: 5718
• Pages: 107-111
• Publication date: 2005-04-01
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1105322
• EISSN: 1095-9203
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• Language: English
• Keywords: Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Globins; Chromosomes, Mammalian; Monte Carlo Method; Haplotypes; Alleles; Evolution, Molecular; Base Sequence; Linkage Disequilibrium; Animals; Humans; Markov Chains; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Chromosome Mapping; Genome; Pan troglodytes; Genotype; Chromosomes, Human; Recombination, Genetic; HLA Antigens; Genome, Human