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Archaeabacterial seryl-tRNA synthetases: adaptation to extreme environments and evolutionary analysis.

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are ubiquitous enzymes which catalyze a crucial step of the cell life, the specific attachment of amino acids to their cognate tRNA. The amino acid sequences of three archaeal seryl-tRNA synthetases (SerRS) from Haloarcula marismortui and Methanococcus jannaschii, both belonging to the group of Euryarchaeota, and from Sulfolobus solfataricus, of the group of Crenarchaeota, were aligned with other eubacterial and eukaryal available SerRS sequences. In an attempt to identify some features of adaptation to extreme environments of these organisms, amino acid composition and amino acid substitutions between mesophilic and thermophilic SerRS were analyzed. In addition, universal phylogenetic trees of SerRS including the three known archaeal sequences, rooted by the threonyl-tRNA synthetases were inferred. Amino acid analyses of the SerRS revealed two ways of adaptation to thermophilic environments between the Eubacteria and the Archaea; most of the usually described amino acid substitutions were nonsignificant in the case of archaeal thermophilic SerRS and most amino acid composition biases seemed to be linked to the genome G+C content pressure. The phylogenetic analysis of the SerRS showed the Archaea to be paraphyletic, H. marismortui emerging with the Gram-positive Bacteria, M. jannaschii being near the root of the tree, and S. solfataricus branching with Eucarya.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Evolutionary analysis of the ErbB receptor and ligand families.

We have compared all available deduced protein sequences of the ErbB family of receptors and their ligands. Analysis of the aligned sequences of the receptors indicates that there are some differences in the receptors that are specific to invertebrates. In addition, comparison of the vertebrate ErbB receptors suggest that a gene duplication event generated two ancestral receptors, the ErbB3/ErbB4 precursor and the ErbB1/ErbB2 precursor. Subsequent gene duplications of these precursors generated the four receptors present in mammals. Analysis of the sequences for the known ligands of the ErbB receptors suggests that the vertebrate ligands segregate into the ErbB1 ligands and the ErbB3/ErbB4 ligands, paralleling the evolution of the receptors; however, it is difficult to ascertain any correlation between the invertebrate and the vertebrate ligands. Even though ErbB3 is kinase-impaired, there is significant conservation of the kinase domain within the vertebrate lineage (human, rat, and F. rubripes), suggesting some function for this domain other than kinase activity, such as mediating protein-protein interactions that are involved in receptor dimerization and/or activation of the kinase domain of the heterodimerization partner. To date, no ligand for ErbB2 has been identified, and comparison of the extracellular domains of ErbB2 reveals two regions that are not conserved across the mammalian species. These two regions of divergence align with sequences in ErbB1 that have been shown to be proximal to the amino-terminus and to the carboxyl-terminal region, respectively, of bound EGF. Further, one of these regions contains an insertion, relative to the other members of the mammalian ErbB family, which might affect the ligand binding site and provide a structural basis for this receptor's apparent inability to bind ligand independently.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparative and evolutionary analysis of the rhesus macaque extended MHC class II region.

The sequence-based map of a part of the rhesus macaque major histocompatibility complex (MHC) extended class II region is presented. The sequenced region encompasses 67,401 bp and contains the SACM2L, RING1, FABGL and KE4 genes, as well as the HTATSF1-like and ZNF-like pseudogenes. Similar to human, but different from rat and mouse, no class I genes are found in the SACM2L- RING1 interval. The rhesus macaque extended MHC class II region shows a high degree of conservation of exonic as well as intronic and intergenic sequences compared with the respective human region. It is concluded that this particular genomic organization of the extended class II region-i.e., the absence of class I genes and the presence of the HTATSF1-like and ZNF-like pseudogenes-can be traced back to a common ancestor of humans and rhesus macaques about 23 million years ago.

Animals↗

Evolutionary analysis of sea urchin mitochondrial tRNAs: folding of the molecules as suggested by the non-random occurrence of nucleotides.

Comparative analyses of the mitochondrial tRNA sequences of the sea urchins Arbacia lixula, Paracentrotus lividus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus revealed that conserved nucleotides may be involved in determining the typical L-shaped spatial conformation of tRNAs. These results shed light on the specific tertiary interactions that allow the folding of the atypical mitochondrial tRNAs into a functional form. A consensus mitochondrial tRNA secondary structure was derived. It shows the presence of nucleotides virtually conserved only in these organisms that represent a sort of molecular signature in sea urchins and suggests a possible physiological role. Finally, we speculate that the non-canonical structure of animal tRNAs, as well as the deviations from the universality of the genetic code, may be due to the reduction in size of the metazoan mitochondrial genome, with the concomitant acquisition of new functions by the mitochondrial tRNAs.

Animals↗

Characterization of the rbcS multigene family in wheat: subfamily classification, determination of chromosomal location and evolutionary analysis.

To elucidate the evolution of a multigene family in plants, nucleotide sequences of members of the rbcS multigene family encoding the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in wheat were determined. Five genomic clones containing rbcS sequences were isolated. The known members of the rbcS family of common wheat, including the clones reported here, were categorized into two Classes (I and II), which, in turn, were classified into three (A, B and E) and two (C and D) subtypes, respectively. The sequences of the intron and the 3' flanking region were divergent between the classes but not among the types within a class. The differences among the types within a class were caused by large indels (about 100-350 bp) in the intron. The members of Classes I and II were located on homeologous group 2 and 5 chromosomes, respectively. The Southern hybridization data indicated that all types of rbcS were present in the ancestral species of wheat. Thus, it is concluded that the divergence between the classes originated from an interchromosomal duplication and that several intrachromosomal duplications followed; these events occurred before the speciation of diploids. The detection of nonfunctional genes and the elimination of fragments suggests that several mechanisms were involved in reducing the copy number of rbcS during the evolution of wheat.

Base Sequence↗

Genome-wide identification, structural characterization, and evolutionary analysis of growth-related gene families in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).

The somatotropic axis encompassing growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), myostatin (MSTN), and prolactin (PRL) signalling cascades is the master regulator of somatic growth, metabolism, and development in vertebrates. African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), a commercially pivotal aquaculture species, now possesses a chromosome-level reference genome (CGAR_prim_01v2); however, a systematic, genome-wide characterization spanning all five interconnected growth-related gene families has not previously been undertaken in this species. Here, we identified and characterized 15 growth-related genes spanning gh1, ghra, ghrb, Igf1, Igf2a, Igf2b, igf1ra, Igf1rb, Igf2r, Mstna, Mstnb, prl, prlra, prlrb, and smtlb distributed across 13 chromosomes. Complete one-to-one orthology with zebrafish confirmed strong dosage-balance conservation across >120 million years of teleost divergence. Physicochemical analysis resolved a clear biochemical dichotomy between compact, basic secreted ligands (19.88-45.81 kDa; pI up to 10.02) and large, acidic, heavily glycosylated membrane receptors (56.82-270.80 kDa; pI 4.85-5.97). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed 3R whole-genome duplication origins for all paralog pairs, while synteny analysis revealed a disruption of the ancestral gh1-prl chromosomal block in C. gariepinus, a finding that warrants further comparative and functional investigation. This genomic atlas provides the sequence and structural information including exon-intron boundaries, domain architecture, and chromosomal coordinates needed as a prerequisite for future marker-assisted selection and CRISPR-based myostatin-editing efforts in African catfish aquaculture, though translation into applied breeding outcomes will require subsequent functional and expression studies.

Animals↗

Rhizobium etli CFN42 contains at least three plasmids of the repABC family: a structural and evolutionary analysis.

In this paper, we report the identification of replication/partition regions of plasmid p42a and p42b of Rhizobium etli CFN42. Sequence analysis reveals that both replication/partition regions belong to the repABC family. Phylogenetic analysis of all the complete repABC replication/partition regions reported to date, shows that repABC plasmids coexisting in the same strain arose most likely by lateral transfer instead of by duplication followed by divergence. A model explaining how new incompatibility groups originate, is proposed.

Base Sequence↗

Evolutionary analysis of G-proteins in early metazoans: cloning of alpha- and beta-subunits from the sponge Geodia cydonium.

G-protein-coupled (seven-transmembrane segment)-receptors represent a major group of metazoan receptors, involved in transduction of extracellular signals. The G-proteins, which are made up of Galpha/beta/gamma-subunits, link the receptors to the effector system(s). To analyze the phylogenetic relationships among the metazoan alpha-subunits of G-proteins, cDNAs of alpha-subunits were isolated from Geodia cydonium, a marine sponge belonging to the lowest metazoan phylum, Porifera. One encodes a putative isotype of a stimulator of the adenylyl cyclase (Galpha s), another one a putative inhibitor of the adenylyl cyclase (Galpha i/o) and the third one a putative activator of phospholipase C (Galpha q). In addition one putative beta-subunit was cloned from the same species. The deduced amino acid sequences of the sponge Galpha s -(putative Mr 44749), the Galpha i/o -(Mr 41064) and the Galpha q subunits (Mr 41363) were found to display high similarity with the corresponding sequences from higher Metazoa, and are only distantly related to those of slime mold, yeast or plants. Of lower similarity are the sequences of the beta-subunits among animals and plants, thus not allowing robust grouping. These data demonstrate that the phylogenetic relationships, obtained from analyses of the alpha subunits from metazoan G-proteins, support the conclusion that all metazoan phyla, including the Porifera are of monophyletic origin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Subgenome-specific markers in allopolyploid cotton Gossypium hirsutum: implications for evolutionary analysis of polyploids.

We developed a set of genetic markers specific to the A and D genome types of cotton using representational difference analysis (RDA). These markers produce amplification products with genomic DNA from allotetraploid cotton Gossypium hirsutum. One of the markers is a polymorphic amplified restriction fragment (PARF) - a sequence found in both A and D genomes but differently flanked by restriction sites. Results of phylogenetic analysis of the PARF sequences from diploid cottons and from allotetraploid G. hirsutum agree with a previous observation of the interlocus concerted evolution (sequences corresponding to A and D genomes are homogenized to a D genome-type sequence). Our study shows how RDA can be used to develop genome-specific markers that can be used to study molecular evolution of allopolyploids.

DNA, Plant↗

Molecular cloning, expression and evolutionary analysis of the avian tyrosine kinase JAK1.

The Janus protein tyrosine kinases (JAK) constitute a protein family that plays a pivotal role in signalling of a large number of cytokine receptors. The cDNA of the chicken homologue of JAK1 was cloned and its nucleotide sequence determined. Chicken JAK1 protein comprises 1150 amino acids as deduced from its cDNA sequence with a calculated molecular mass of 133kDa. The overall structure of JAK proteins exemplified by the JAK homology domains JH1-JH7 is also preserved in chicken JAK1. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that chicken JAK1 is more closely related to mammalian JAK1 than to those of fish, exhibiting 80%, 79% and 63% identity in amino acid sequence to human, mouse and zebrafish JAK1, respectively. JAK1 proteins were found to be most conserved in the kinase (JH1) and pseudokinase (JH2) domains. This data is supported by Southern hybridization studies of ZOO blots. Chicken JAK1 shows a ubiquitous expression pattern and is transcribed as a 5.5kb mRNA in various tissues and cell types. JAK1 expression was particularly high in lymphoid cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evolutionary analysis of putative olfactory receptor genes of medaka fish, Oryzias latipes.

To obtain an understanding of the origin, diversification and genomic organization of vertebrate olfactory receptor genes, we have newly cloned and characterized putative olfactory receptor genes, mfOR1, mfOR2, mfOR3 and mfOR4 from the genomic DNA of medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). The four sequences contained features commonly seen in known olfactory receptor genes and were phylogenetically most closely related to those of catfish and zebrafish. Among them, mfOR1 and mfOR2 showed the highest amino acid (aa) similarity (93%) and defined a novel olfactory receptor gene family that is most divergent among all other vertebrate olfactory receptor genes. Southern hybridization analyses suggested that mfOR1 and mfOR2 are tightly linked to each other (within 24kb), although suitable marker genes were not available to locate their linkage group. Unlike observation in catfish olfactory receptor sequences, nucleotide (nt) substitutions between the two sequences did not show any evidence of positive natural selection. mfOR3 and mfOR4, however, showed a much lower aa similarity (26%) and were both mapped to a region in the medaka linkage group XX. After including these medaka fish sequences, olfactory receptors of terrestrial and aquatic animals formed significantly different clusters in the phylogenetic tree. Although the member genes of each olfactory receptor gene subfamily are less in fish than that in mammals, fish seem to have maintained more diverse olfactory receptor gene families. Our finding of a novel olfactory receptor gene family in medaka fish may provide a step towards understanding the emergence of the olfactory receptor gene in vertebrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular and evolutionary analysis of a plant Y chromosome.

Plants have evolved a great diversity of sex determination systems. Among these, the XY system, also found in mammals, is one of the most exciting since it gives the opportunity to compare the evolution of sex chromosomes in two different kingdoms. Whereas genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling sex determination in drosophila and mammals, have been well studied, very little is known about such processes in plants. White campion (Silene latifolia) is an example of plant with X and Y chromosomes. What is the origin of the X and Y chromosomes? How did they evolve from a pair of autosomes? In our laboratory, we have isolated the first active genes located on a plant Y chromosome. We are using them as markers to trace the origin and evolution of sex chromosomes in the Silene genus.

Biological Evolution↗

Functional and evolutionary analysis of a eukaryotic parasitic genome.

The DNA sequences of the 11 linear chromosomes of the approximately 2.9 Mbp genome of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, an obligate intracellular parasite of mammals, include approximately 2000 putative protein-coding genes. The compactness of this genome is associated with the length reduction of various genes. Essential functions are dependent on a minimal set of genes. Phylogenetic analysis supports the hypotheses that microsporidia are related to fungi and have retained a mitochondrion-derived organelle, the mitosome.

Animals↗

Evolutionary analysis of influenza C virus M genes.

The previous study of the 25 hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) glycoprotein genes of influenza C viruses identified four discrete lineages represented by C/Yamagata/26/81, C/Aichi/1/81, C/Aomori/74 and C/Mississippi/80, respectively. Here we compared the M gene sequence among the 24 viruses isolated between 1964 and 1991. A phylogenetic analysis showed that these genes have evolved into three distinct lineages. Lineage I included most of viruses with the HE genes of C/Yamagata/26/81-related lineage. The predominant members of lineage II were viruses having the HE genes of either C/Aichi/1/81- or C/Mississippi/80-related lineage. Lineage III contained only C/Aomori/74. Phylogenetic positions of several strains (C/Yamagata/64, C/Kanagawa/1/76, C/Miyagi/77 and C/Nara/1/85) were different between the M and HE gene trees, suggesting that they are reassortants. Furthermore, phylogenetic relationships between C/Mississippi/80-like and C/Aichi/1/81-like viruses were much closer for the M gene than the HE gene, raising the possibility that these two virus groups are genetically related by a reassortment event. Nucleotide changes in the M genes occurred at about 7% positions with a uniform distribution throughout the molecules. However, the predicted amino acid sequence of the matrix protein (M1) was conserved almost completely among the isolates analyzed. The amino acid sequence of the second protein (CM2) encoded by M gene was also highly conserved, but was more divergent than the M1 protein sequence, suggesting that the two M gene products are evolving differently in response to selective pressures or structural and functional constraints.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homophobia: an evolutionary analysis of the concept as applied to nursing.

Homophobia is a socially accepted, culturally based belief, which is heavily influenced by an individual's or a community's inherent attitudes, beliefs and values. This conceptual analysis of homophobia has endeavoured to review existing literature on homophobia and subsequently identify and examine the phobic constituents of the concept. References to homophobia are mostly from the 1970-1980 period and there is much unacknowledged conceptual baggage that accompanies the term, which results in restrictive and inappropriate ideas about this concept. This is mainly the consequence of comparisons of homophobia to other phobias, which directly infers fear of homosexuals, while in reality homophobia is more of a biased disgust at homosexuals' lifestyles. This paper attempts to re-conceptualize homophobia so that empirical research can begin to test the critical attributes of the concept. This forms the basis for the development of a comprehensive social psychological theory of attitudes towards homosexuals. Such a theory would transcend the unilateral and unidimensional concept of homophobia as a fear and help the understanding of attitudes and feelings towards homosexuals.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Evolutionary analysis of Arabidopsis, cyanobacterial, and chloroplast genomes reveals plastid phylogeny and thousands of cyanobacterial genes in the nucleus.

Chloroplasts were once free-living cyanobacteria that became endosymbionts, but the genomes of contemporary plastids encode only approximately 5-10% as many genes as those of their free-living cousins, indicating that many genes were either lost from plastids or transferred to the nucleus during the course of plant evolution. Previous estimates have suggested that between 800 and perhaps as many as 2,000 genes in the Arabidopsis genome might come from cyanobacteria, but genome-wide phylogenetic surveys that could provide direct estimates of this number are lacking. We compared 24,990 proteins encoded in the Arabidopsis genome to the proteins from three cyanobacterial genomes, 16 other prokaryotic reference genomes, and yeast. Of 9,368 Arabidopsis proteins sufficiently conserved for primary sequence comparison, 866 detected homologues only among cyanobacteria and 834 other branched with cyanobacterial homologues in phylogenetic trees. Extrapolating from these conserved proteins to the whole genome, the data suggest that approximately 4,500 of Arabidopsis protein-coding genes ( approximately 18% of the total) were acquired from the cyanobacterial ancestor of plastids. These proteins encompass all functional classes, and the majority of them are targeted to cell compartments other than the chloroplast. Analysis of 15 sequenced chloroplast genomes revealed 117 nuclear-encoded proteins that are also still present in at least one chloroplast genome. A phylogeny of chloroplast genomes inferred from 41 proteins and 8,303 amino acids sites indicates that at least two independent secondary endosymbiotic events have occurred involving red algae and that amino acid composition bias in chloroplast proteins strongly affects plastid genome phylogeny.

Arabidopsis↗