SERINE HYDROXYMETHYLTRANSFERASE PSEUDOGENE, SHMT-PS1 - A UNIQUE GENETIC-MARKER OF THE ORDER PRIMATES

The serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) gene family is composed of three distinct loci. The cytosolic (cSHMT) and mitochondrial (mSHMT) g enes constitute the functional members of the gene family, while the t hird member, SHMT-ps1, is a processed pseudogene descended from cSHMT. PCR analysis of 38 primate and nonprimate mammal species indicates th at the reverse transcription event that gave rise to SHMT-ps1 might ha ve occurred after the divergence of the primates from the rest of the mammals. In addition, direct sequencing of primate PCR products has re vealed several features-including two deletions, an insertion, and two single base mutations-that are unique to specific phylogenetic branch es of the order Primates. These unique features make the SHMT-ps1 locu s a useful marker in molecular studies of the primates. J. Exp. Zool. 282:150-156, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.