Mutation of miRNA target sequences during human evolution.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Mutation of miRNA target sequences during human evolution.

AU - Gardner, Paul P

AU - Vinther, Jeppe

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - It has long-been hypothesized that changes in non-protein-coding genes and the regulatory sequences controlling expression could undergo positive selection. Here we identify 402 putative microRNA (miRNA) target sequences that have been mutated specifically in the human lineage and show that genes containing such deletions are more highly expressed than their mouse orthologs. Our findings indicate that some miRNA target mutations are fixed by positive selection and might have been involved in the evolution of human-specific traits.

AB - It has long-been hypothesized that changes in non-protein-coding genes and the regulatory sequences controlling expression could undergo positive selection. Here we identify 402 putative microRNA (miRNA) target sequences that have been mutated specifically in the human lineage and show that genes containing such deletions are more highly expressed than their mouse orthologs. Our findings indicate that some miRNA target mutations are fixed by positive selection and might have been involved in the evolution of human-specific traits.

U2 - 10.1016/j.tig.2008.03.009

DO - 10.1016/j.tig.2008.03.009

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 18472179

SN - 0168-9525

VL - 24

SP - 262

EP - 265

JO - Trends in Genetics

JF - Trends in Genetics

IS - 6

ER -