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Figure 3 | BMC Evolutionary Biology

Figure 3

From: Evolution and distribution of RNA polymerase II regulatory sites from RNA polymerase III dependant mobile Alu elements

Figure 3

Alu expansion and evolution of regulatory sites. With the help of LINEs, Alu may keep on retro-transposing or may get inactive/negatively selected. Alternatively, it may integrate upstream of a gene, accumulate mutations, evolve RNA pol II regulatory sites, get stabilized and control gene expression. This is supported by the presence of sparse regulatory sites, unhindered A box, recombinogenic sites initially in the younger and active Alus and its accumulation in older Alu subfamilies as well as significant presence of Alus harbouring regulatory sites in the promoter encompassing regions of the genes of signaling and metabolic pathways.

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