A mobile DNA sequence could explain tail loss in humans and apes

A mobile DNA sequence could explain tail loss in humans and apes

The lack of a tail is one thing that separates apes — including humans — from other primates. Insertion of a short DNA sequence into a gene that controls tail development could explain tail loss in the common ancestor of apes. An alternatively spliced gene contributed to tail loss in early apes.

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) Vol. 626; no. 8001; pp. 958 - 959
Main Authors: Konkel, Miriam K., Casanova, Emily L.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 29-02-2024
Subjects:
631/181
631/208
706/689/19
Animals
Anthropology
Base Sequence
Biological Evolution
Hominidae - genetics
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
multidisciplinary
News And Views
Science
Evolution
Anthropology
Genetics
Online Access:Get full text
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Description
Summary:The lack of a tail is one thing that separates apes — including humans — from other primates. Insertion of a short DNA sequence into a gene that controls tail development could explain tail loss in the common ancestor of apes. An alternatively spliced gene contributed to tail loss in early apes.
Bibliography:SourceType-Other Sources-1
ObjectType-News-1
content type line 66
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/d41586-024-00309-z