Emergence of de novo proteins from ‘dark genomic matter’ by ‘grow slow and moult’

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erich Bornberg-Bauer ◽  
Jonathan Schmitz ◽  
Magdalena Heberlein
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Genomics ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Orphan Genes ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Careful Scrutiny ◽  
De Novo Proteins ◽  
Evolutionary Emergence ◽  
Reading Frames ◽  
Over Time

Proteins are the workhorses of the cell and, over billions of years, they have evolved an amazing plethora of extremely diverse and versatile structures with equally diverse functions. Evolutionary emergence of new proteins and transitions between existing ones are believed to be rare or even impossible. However, recent advances in comparative genomics have repeatedly called some 10%–30% of all genes without any detectable similarity to existing proteins. Even after careful scrutiny, some of those orphan genes contain protein coding reading frames with detectable transcription and translation. Thus some proteins seem to have emerged from previously non-coding ‘dark genomic matter’. These ‘de novo’ proteins tend to be disordered, fast evolving, weakly expressed but also rapidly assuming novel and physiologically important functions. Here we review mechanisms by which ‘de novo’ proteins might be created, under which circumstances they may become fixed and why they are elusive. We propose a ‘grow slow and moult’ model in which first a reading frame is extended, coding for an initially disordered and non-globular appendage which, over time, becomes more structured and may also become associated with other proteins.

scholarly journals A spectral analysis approach to detect actively translated open reading frames in high-resolution ribosome profiling data

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Calviello ◽  
Neelanjan Mukherjee ◽  
Emanuel Wyler ◽  
Henrik Zauber ◽  
Antje Hirsekorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Gene Expression Regulation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Ribosome Profiling ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Data ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Reading Frames

RNA sequencing protocols allow for quantifying gene expression regulation at each individual step, from transcription to protein synthesis. Ribosome Profiling (Ribo-seq) maps the positions of translating ribosomes over the entire transcriptome. Despite its great potential, a rigorous statistical approach to identify translated regions by means of the characteristic three-nucleotide periodicity of Ribo-seq data is not yet available. To fill this gap, we developed RiboTaper, which quantifies the significance of periodic Ribo-seq reads via spectral analysis methods. We applied RiboTaper on newly generated, deep Ribo-seq data in HEK293 cells, to derive an extensive map of translation that covers Open Reading Frame (ORF) annotations for more than 11,000 protein- coding genes. We also find distinct ribosomal signatures for several hundred detected upstream ORFs and ORFs in annotated non-coding genes (ncORFs). Mass spectrometry data confirms that RiboTaper achieves excellent coverage of the cellular proteome and validates dozens of novel peptide products. Collectively, RiboTaper (available at https://ohlerlab.mdc-berlin.de/software/ ) is a powerful method for comprehensive de novo identification of actively used ORFs in the human genome.

scholarly journals Diversity and evolution of the emerging Pandoraviridae family

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthieu Legendre ◽  
Elisabeth Fabre ◽  
Olivier Poirot ◽  
Sandra Jeudy ◽  
Audrey Lartigue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Genomics ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Gene Duplications ◽  
Statistical Features ◽  
Strong Component ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Protein Coding Genes ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Comparative Genomics Analysis ◽  
Horizontal Transfers

AbstractWith DNA genomes up to 2.5 Mb packed in particles of bacterium-like shape and dimension, the first two Acanthamoeba-infectingPandoravirusesremained the most spectacular viruses since their description in 2013. Our isolation of three new strains from distant locations and environments allowed us to perform the first comparative genomics analysis of the emerging worldwide-distributed Pandoraviridae family. Thorough annotation of the genomes combining transcriptomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic analyses, led to the discovery of many non-coding transcripts while significantly reducing the former set of predicted protein-coding genes. We found that the Pandoraviridae exhibit an open pan genome, the enormous size of which is not adequately explained by gene duplications or horizontal transfers. As most of the strain specific genes have no extant homolog and exhibit statistical features comparable to intergenic regions, we suggests thatde novogene creation is a strong component in the evolution of the giant Pandoravirus genomes.

scholarly journals A de novo evolved gene in the house mouse regulates female pregnancy cycles

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Xie ◽  
Cemalettin Bekpen ◽  
Sven Künzel ◽  
Maryam Keshavarz ◽  
Rebecca Krebs-Wheaton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
House Mouse ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Ribosome Profiling ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Data ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Protein Coding Genes ◽  
New Genes

The de novo emergence of new genes has been well documented through genomic analyses. However, a functional analysis, especially of very young protein-coding genes, is still largely lacking. Here, we identify a set of house mouse-specific protein-coding genes and assess their translation by ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry data. We functionally analyze one of them, Gm13030, which is specifically expressed in females in the oviduct. The interruption of the reading frame affects the transcriptional network in the oviducts at a specific stage of the estrous cycle. This includes the upregulation of Dcpp genes, which are known to stimulate the growth of preimplantation embryos. As a consequence, knockout females have their second litters after shorter times and have a higher infanticide rate. Given that Gm13030 shows no signs of positive selection, our findings support the hypothesis that a de novo evolved gene can directly adopt a function without much sequence adaptation.

scholarly journals uORF-Tools – Workflow for the determination of translation-regulatory upstream open reading frames

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anica Scholz ◽  
Florian Eggenhofer ◽  
Rick Gelhausen ◽  
Björn Grüning ◽  
Kathi Zarnack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosome Profiling ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Annotation File ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Upstream Open Reading Frames ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Reading Frames

AbstractRibosome profiling (ribo-seq) provides a means to analyze active translation by determining ribosome occupancy in a transcriptome-wide manner. The vast majority of ribosome protected fragments (RPFs) resides within the protein-coding sequence of mRNAs. However, commonly reads are also found within the transcript leader sequence (TLS) (aka 5’ untranslated region) preceding the main open reading frame (ORF), indicating the translation of regulatory upstream ORFs (uORFs). Here, we present a workflow for the identification of translation-regulatory uORFs. Specifically, uORF-Tools identifies uORFs within a given dataset and generates a uORF annotation file. In addition, a comprehensive human uORF annotation file, based on 35 ribo-seq files, is provided, which can serve as an alternative input file for the workflow. To assess the translation-regulatory activity of the uORFs, stimulus-induced changes in the ratio of the RPFs residing in the main ORFs relative to those found in the associated uORFs are determined. The resulting output file allows for the easy identification of candidate uORFs, which have translation-inhibitory effects on their associated main ORFs. uORF-Tools is available as a free and open Snakemake workflow at https://github.com/Biochemistry1-FFM/uORF-Tools. It is easily installed and all necessary tools are provided in a version-controlled manner, which also ensures lasting usability. uORF-Tools is designed for intuitive use and requires only limited computing times and resources.

scholarly journals Stochastic Gain and Loss of Novel Transcribed Open Reading Frames in the Human Lineage

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 2183-2195
Author(s):  
Daniel Dowling ◽  
Jonathan F Schmitz ◽  
Erich Bornberg-Bauer
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Structural Disorder ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Noncoding Dna ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
De Novo Proteins ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Reading Frames

Abstract In addition to known genes, much of the human genome is transcribed into RNA. Chance formation of novel open reading frames (ORFs) can lead to the translation of myriad new proteins. Some of these ORFs may yield advantageous adaptive de novo proteins. However, widespread translation of noncoding DNA can also produce hazardous protein molecules, which can misfold and/or form toxic aggregates. The dynamics of how de novo proteins emerge from potentially toxic raw materials and what influences their long-term survival are unknown. Here, using transcriptomic data from human and five other primates, we generate a set of transcribed human ORFs at six conservation levels to investigate which properties influence the early emergence and long-term retention of these expressed ORFs. As these taxa diverged from each other relatively recently, we present a fine scale view of the evolution of novel sequences over recent evolutionary time. We find that novel human-restricted ORFs are preferentially located on GC-rich gene-dense chromosomes, suggesting their retention is linked to pre-existing genes. Sequence properties such as intrinsic structural disorder and aggregation propensity—which have been proposed to play a role in survival of de novo genes—remain unchanged over time. Even very young sequences code for proteins with low aggregation propensities, suggesting that genomic regions with many novel transcribed ORFs are concomitantly less likely to produce ORFs which code for harmful toxic proteins. Our data indicate that the survival of these novel ORFs is largely stochastic rather than shaped by selection.

scholarly journals The sequence of a large L1Md element reveals a tandemly repeated 5' end and several features found in retrotransposons

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-182
Author(s):  
D D Loeb ◽  
R W Padgett ◽  
S C Hardies ◽  
W R Shehee ◽  
M B Comer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Genome ◽  
Large Open Reading Frame ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Reverse Transcriptases ◽  
Multiple Copies ◽  
Overlapping Reading Frames ◽  
Coding Capacity ◽  
Reading Frames

The complete nucleotide sequence of a 6,851-base pair (bp) member of the L1Md repetitive family from a selected random isolate of the BALB/c mouse genome is reported here. Five kilobases of the element contains two overlapping reading frames of 1,137 and 3,900 bp. The entire 3,900-bp frame and the 3' 600 bp of the 1,137-bp frame, when compared with a composite consensus primate L1 sequence, show a ratio of replacement to silent site differences characteristic of protein coding sequences. This more closely defines the protein coding capacity of this repetitive family, which was previously shown to possess a large open reading frame of undetermined extent. The relative organization of the 1,137- and 3,900-bp reading frames, which overlap by 14 bp, bears resemblance to protein-coding, mobile genetic elements. Homology can be found between the amino acid sequence of the 3,900-bp frame and selected domains of several reverse transcriptases. The 5' ends of the two L1Md elements described in this report have multiple copies, 4 2/3 copies and 1 2/3 copy, of a 208-bp direct tandem repeat. The sequence of this 208-bp element differs from the sequence of a previously defined 5' end for an L1Md element, indicating that there are at least two different 5' end motifs for L1Md.

scholarly journals Unusually efficient CUG initiation of an overlapping reading frame in POLG mRNA yields novel protein POLGARF

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (40) ◽  
pp. 24936-24946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Loughran ◽  
Alexander V. Zhdanov ◽  
Maria S. Mikhaylova ◽  
Fedor N. Rozov ◽  
Petr N. Datskevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Messenger Rna ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Serum Stimulation ◽  
Extracellular Signaling ◽  
Functional Investigation ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Polymerase ◽  
Orf 5

While near-cognate codons are frequently used for translation initiation in eukaryotes, their efficiencies are usually low (<10% compared to an AUG in optimal context). Here, we describe a rare case of highly efficient near-cognate initiation. A CUG triplet located in the 5′ leader of POLG messenger RNA (mRNA) initiates almost as efficiently (∼60 to 70%) as an AUG in optimal context. This CUG directs translation of a conserved 260-triplet-long overlapping open reading frame (ORF), which we call POLGARF (POLG Alternative Reading Frame). Translation of a short upstream ORF 5′ of this CUG governs the ratio between POLG (the catalytic subunit of mitochondrial DNA polymerase) and POLGARF synthesized from a single POLG mRNA. Functional investigation of POLGARF suggests a role in extracellular signaling. While unprocessed POLGARF localizes to the nucleoli together with its interacting partner C1QBP, serum stimulation results in rapid cleavage and secretion of a POLGARF C-terminal fragment. Phylogenetic analysis shows that POLGARF evolved ∼160 million y ago due to a mammalian-wide interspersed repeat (MIR) transposition into the 5′ leader sequence of the mammalian POLG gene, which became fixed in placental mammals. This discovery of POLGARF unveils a previously undescribed mechanism of de novo protein-coding gene evolution.

scholarly journals Unprecedentedly efficient CUG initiation of an overlapping reading frame in POLG mRNA yields novel protein POLGARF

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Loughran ◽  
AV Zhdanov ◽  
MS Mikhaylova ◽  
FN Rozov ◽  
PN Datskevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Polymerase ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Ribosome Profiling ◽  
Dual Coding ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Serum Stimulation ◽  
Functional Investigation ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Polymerase

AbstractWhile near cognate codons are frequently used for translation initiation in eukaryotes, their efficiencies are usually low (<10% compared to an AUG in optimal context). Here we describe a rare case of highly efficient near cognate initiation. A CUG triplet located in the 5’ leader of POLG mRNA initiates almost as efficiently (~60-70%) as an AUG in optimal context. This CUG directs translation of a conserved 260 triplet-long overlapping ORF, which we call POLGARF (POLGAlternative Reading Frame). Translation of a short upstream ORF 5’ of this CUG governs the ratio between DNA polymerase and POLGARF produced from a single POLG mRNA. Functional investigation of POLGARF points to extracellular signalling. While unprocessed POLGARF resides in the nucleoli together with its interacting partner C1QBP, serum stimulation results in rapid secretion of POLGARF C-terminal fragment. Phylogenetic analysis shows that POLGARF evolved ~160 million years ago due to an MIR transposition into the 5’ leader sequence of the mammalian POLG gene which became fixed in placental mammals. The discovery of POLGARF unveils a previously undescribed mechanism of de novo protein-coding gene evolution.Significance StatementIn this study, we describe previously unknown mechanism of de novo protein-coding gene evolution. We show that the POLG gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of mitochondrial DNA polymerase, is in fact a dual coding gene. Ribosome profiling, phylogenetic conservation, and reporter construct analyses all demonstrate that POLG mRNA possesses a conserved CUG codon which serves as a start of translation for an exceptionally long overlapping open reading frame (260 codons in human) present in all placental mammals. We called the protein encoded in this alternative reading frame POLGARF. We provide evidence that the evolution of POLGARF was incepted upon insertion of an MIR transposable element of the SINE family.

scholarly journals Clustering and visualizing the distribution of overlapping reading frames in virus genomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Munoz-Baena ◽  
Art Poon
Keyword(s):  
Purifying Selection ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Virus Family ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
New Genes ◽  
Overlapping Reading Frames ◽  
Genome Level ◽  
Dsdna Viruses ◽  
Virus Genomes ◽  
Reading Frames

Gene overlap occurs when two or more genes are encoded by the same nucleotides. This phenomenon is found in all taxonomic domains, but is particularly common in viruses, where it may increase the information content of compact genomes or influence the creation of new genes. Here we report a global comparative study of overlapping reading frames (OvRFs) of 12,609 virus reference genomes in the NCBI database. We retrieved metadata associated with all annotated reading frames in each genome record to calculate the number, length, and frameshift of OvRFs. Our results show that while the number of OvRFs increases with genome length, they tend to be shorter in longer genomes. The majority of overlaps involve +2 frameshifts, predominantly found in dsDNA viruses. However, the longest overlaps involve no shift in reading frame (+0), increasing the selective burden of the same nucleotide positions within codons, instead of exposing additional sites to purifying selection. Next, we develop a new graph-based representation of the distribution of OvRFs among the reading frames of genomes in a given virus family. In the absence of an unambiguous partition of reading frames by homology at this taxonomic level, we used an alignment-free k-mer based approach to cluster protein coding sequences by similarity. We connect these clusters with two types of directed edges to indicate (1) that constituent reading frames are adjacent in one or more genomes, and (2) that the reading frames overlap. These adjacency graphs not only provide a natural visualization scheme, but also a novel statistical framework for analyzing the effects of gene- and genome-level attributes on the frequencies of overlaps.

scholarly journals Only a Single Taxonomically Restricted Gene Family in the Drosophila melanogaster Subgroup Can Be Identified with High Confidence

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1355-1366
Author(s):  
Karina Zile ◽  
Christophe Dessimoz ◽  
Yannick Wurm ◽  
Joanna Masel
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
High Confidence ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Noncoding Sequences ◽  
De Novo Genes ◽  
Intergenic Sequences ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster Subgroup ◽  
Reading Frames

Abstract Taxonomically restricted genes (TRGs) are genes that are present only in one clade. Protein-coding TRGs may evolve de novo from previously noncoding sequences: functional ncRNA, introns, or alternative reading frames of older protein-coding genes, or intergenic sequences. A major challenge in studying de novo genes is the need to avoid both false-positives (nonfunctional open reading frames and/or functional genes that did not arise de novo) and false-negatives. Here, we search conservatively for high-confidence TRGs as the most promising candidates for experimental studies, ensuring functionality through conservation across at least two species, and ensuring de novo status through examination of homologous noncoding sequences. Our pipeline also avoids ascertainment biases associated with preconceptions of how de novo genes are born. We identify one TRG family that evolved de novo in the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup. This TRG family contains single-copy genes in Drosophila simulans and Drosophila sechellia. It originated in an intron of a well-established gene, sharing that intron with another well-established gene upstream. These TRGs contain an intron that predates their open reading frame. These genes have not been previously reported as de novo originated, and to our knowledge, they are the best Drosophila candidates identified so far for experimental studies aimed at elucidating the properties of de novo genes.

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