Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2016
Publication Title
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
Abstract
An inversion polymorphism of the filamin and emerin genes at the tip of the long arm of the human X-chromosome serves as the basis of an investigative laboratory in which students learn something new about their own genomes. Long, nearly identical inverted repeats flanking the filamin and emerin genes illustrate how repetitive elements can lead to alterations in genome structure (inversions) through nonallelic homologous recombination. The near identity of the inverted repeats is an example of concerted evolution through gene conversion. While the laboratory in its entirety is designed for college level genetics courses, portions of the laboratory are appropriate for courses at other levels. Because the polymorphism is on the X-chromosome, the laboratory can be used in introductory biology courses to enhance understanding of sex-linkage and to test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in females. More advanced topics, such as chromosome interference, the molecular model for recombination, and inversion heterozygosity suppression of recombination can be explored in upper-level genetics and evolution courses. DNA isolation, restriction digests, ligation, long PCR, and iPCR provide experience with techniques in molecular biology. This investigative laboratory weaves together topics stretching from molecular genetics to cytogenetics and sex-linkage, population genetics and evolutionary genetics.
Keywords
Evolution, Laboratory exercises, Molecular biology
Volume
44
Issue
2
First Page
191
Last Page
201
DOI
10.1002/bmb.20933
ISSN
14708175
Recommended Citation
Kirby, Cait S.; Kolber, Natalie; Salih Almohaidi, Asmaa M.; Bierwert, Lou Ann; Saunders, Lori; Williams, Steven; and Merritt, Robert, "Human Xq28 Inversion Polymorphism: From Sex Linkage to Genomics - A Genetic Mother Lode" (2016). Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/bio_facpubs/163
Comments
Archived as published. Open access paper.