Conserved sequence

Conserved sequence is a sequence of DNA or protein that has remained relatively unchanged throughout evolution. Conserved sequences are indicative of their functional importance to the organism; changes tend to be harmful and are therefore eliminated by natural selection.

Overview

A conserved sequence can refer to either a sequence of nucleotides in DNA or amino acids in a protein. These sequences are conserved because they have a high degree of functionality; any change could be detrimental to the organism.

Conserved sequences are often found in regulatory genes, which control the expression of other genes. They can also be found in the coding regions of genes, where they specify the amino acid sequence of a protein.

Importance

Conserved sequences are important for several reasons. They can provide clues about the function of a gene or protein. If a sequence is conserved across many different species, it is likely to have an important function.

In addition, conserved sequences can be used to identify related genes in different species. This can help scientists understand the evolutionary relationships between different organisms.

Examples

One example of a conserved sequence is the homeobox, a sequence of DNA that is found in many different organisms and is involved in regulating development. Another example is the ATP-binding cassette, a sequence of amino acids that is found in many different proteins and is involved in transporting molecules across cell membranes.

See also

• Evolution
• Genetics
• Molecular biology
• Protein structure

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  Histone alignment showing conserved regions

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  LexA sequence logo for gram-positive bacteria

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  ECR browser showing conserved OTX2 gene in vertebrates