An eutherian intronic sequence gave rise to a major satellite DNA in Platyrrhini

Abstract

Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are major components of eukaryote genomes. However, because of their quick divergence, the evolutionary origin of a given satDNA family can rarely be determined. Herein we took advantage of available primate sequenced genomes to determine the origin of the CapA satDNA (~1,500 bp long monomers), first described in Sapajus apella. We show that CapA is an abundant satDNA in Platyrrhini, whereas in the genomes of most eutherian mammals, including humans, this sequence is present only as a single copy located within a large intron of the NOS1AP (nitric oxid synthase 1 adaptor protein) Gene. Our data suggest that this intronic CapA-like sequence gave rise to the CapA satDNA and we discuss possible mechanisms implicated in this event. This is the first report of a single copy intronic sequence giving origin to a satDNA that reaches up to 100,000 copies in some genomes.