Alu elements are highly repetitive DNA sequences (exists only in primates)

that are major players in human evolution, as well as useful tools for molecular genetic and forensic applications. Human chromosomes contain about 1,000,000 Alu copies, which equal 10% of the total genome.

For more details, see this article sir:

https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/functions-and-utility-of-alu-jumping-genes-561

following

An Alu element is a short stretch of DNA originally characterized by the action of the Arthrobacter luteus (Alu) restriction endonuclease. Alu elements are the most abundant transposable elements, containing over one million copies dispersed throughout the human genome. Alu elements are also known as selfish or parasitic genes, because their sole function is self reproduction. They are derived from the small cytoplasmic 7SL RNA, a component of the signal recognition particle. Alu elements are highly conserved within primate genomes and originated in the genome of an ancestor of Supraprimates.

Alu elements are a type of "jumping gene," or transposable element (TE), that exists only in primates. Like all TEs, they are discrete DNA sequences that move, or "jump," from one place on the genome to another, sometimes inserting copies of themselves directly into the middle of protein-coding genes.

Functions and Utility of Alu Jumping Genes | Learn Science at Scitable

https://www.nature.com/scitable/.../functions-and-utility-of-alu-jumping-genes-561

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best regard .

Please Check

Sandeep Ravindran.Barbara McClintock and the discovery of jumping genes.PNAS December 11, 2012 109 (50) 20198-20199; https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1219372109

WMAR Staff."Jumping Genes" may cause disease, drive evolution, Carnegie Science .2018

Jumping Genes Hop Into the Evolutionary Limelight

Elizabeth Pennisi. Jumping Genes Hop Into the Evolutionary Limelight. 2007:Vol. 317, Issue 5840, pp. 894-895; DOI: 10.1126/science.317.5840.894

Thanks Entedhar Sarhat

This was much needed.

Regards

Following

The "jump genes," also known as transgenic elements or transposons, are "moving genetic elements" - sequences of DNA that actually jump inside and outside genomes, resembling non-embodied viruses that encode all the machines needed to make copies and insert them into parts Other genomes (and other genomes).

Interesting that Alu elements/jumping genes which can cause things are alternate splicing, changes in gene expression or repression and so many aspects pertaining to our evolution.

However, why the exist and how they make us different is still intriguing?