Biological Role of Sequence Conservation
Sequence similarities serve as evidence for structural and functional conservation, as well as of evolutionary relationships between the sequences. Consequently, comparative analysis is the primary means by which functional elements are identified.
Among the most highly conserved sequences are the active sites of enzymes and the binding sites of a protein receptors.
Conserved non-coding sequences often harbor cis-regulatory elements which constrain evolution. Some deletions of highly conserved sequences in humans (hCONDELs) and other organisms have been suggested to be a potential cause of the anatomical and behavioral differences between humans and other mammals.
Read more about this topic: Conserved Sequence
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