A HUMAN MODERATELY REPEATED Y-SPECIFIC DNA-SEQUENCE IS EVOLUTIONARILY CONSERVED IN THE Y-CHROMOSOME OF THE GREAT APES

Evolutionary conservation of the human-derived moderately repeated Y-specific DNA sequence Y-190 (DYZ5) was investigated in the chimpanzee, orangutan, and gorilla. southern blot analysis showed the presence of the sequence in the Y chromosome of all great apes. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and in situ hybridization revealed that the repeat is organized in one major block and confined to a small region of the Y chromosome of the three species. DYZ5 was assigned to the proximal short arm of the Y chromosome of the chimpanzee and orangutan and the long arm of the Y chromosome of the gorilla. In light of its evolutionary conservation, DYZ5 may have an as yet undetermined structural function in the Y chromosome. © 1992.