The current distribution of recently-recruited genes among chromosomes appears increasingly non-random along the evolutionary series from the tetrapoda to the primata

Author(s):  
Wilfred Stein ◽  
Moshe Hoshen

Abstract Background: The present availability of full genome sequences of a broad range of animal species across the whole range of evolutionary history enables one to ask questions as to the distribution of genes across the chromosomes. Do newly recruited genes, clade by clade, distribute at random or at non-random locations? Results: We extracted values for the “consensus” ages of the human genes and for their current chromosome locations, from published sources. A quantitative analysis showed that the distribution of newly-added genes among and within the chromosomes appears to be increasingly non-random if one observes animals along the evolutionary series from the tetrapoda through to the great apes, whereas the oldest genes are randomly distributed.Conclusions: Randomization will result from chromosome evolution, but less and less time is available for this process as evolution proceeds. Much of the bunching of recently-added genes arises from new gene formation in gene families, near the location of genes that were recruited in the preceding phylostratum. As examples we cite the KRTAP, ZNF, OR and some minor gene families. We show that bunching can also result from the evolution of the chromosomes themselves when, as for the KRTAP genes, blocks of genes that had previously been on disparate chromosomes become linked together.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Hernández ◽  
Alberto Vicens ◽  
Luis Enrique Eguiarte ◽  
Valeria Souza ◽  
Valerie De Anda ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTDimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), an osmolyte produced by oceanic phytoplankton, is predominantly degraded by bacteria belonging to the Roseobacter lineage and other marine Alphaproteobacteria via DMSP-dependent demethylase A protein (DmdA). To date, the evolutionary history of DmdA gene family is unclear. Some studies indicate a common ancestry between DmdA and GcvT gene families and a co-evolution between Roseobacter and the DMSP-producing-phytoplankton around 250 million years ago (Mya). In this work, we analyzed the evolution of DmdA under three possible evolutionary scenarios: 1) a recent common ancestor of DmdA and GcvT, 2) a coevolution between Roseobacter and the DMSP-producing-phytoplankton, and 3) pre-adapted enzymes to DMSP prior to Roseobacter origin. Our analyses indicate that DmdA is a new gene family originated from GcvT genes by duplication and functional divergence driven by positive selection before a coevolution between Roseobacter and phytoplankton. Our data suggest that Roseobacter acquired dmdA by horizontal gene transfer prior to exposition to an environment with higher DMSP. Here, we propose that the ancestor that carried the DMSP demethylation pathway genes evolved in the Archean, and was exposed to a higher concentration of DMSP in a sulfur rich atmosphere and anoxic ocean, compared to recent Roseobacter ecoparalogs (copies performing the same function under different conditions), which should be adapted to lower concentrations of DMSP.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9861
Author(s):  
Laura Hernández ◽  
Alberto Vicens ◽  
Luis E. Eguiarte ◽  
Valeria Souza ◽  
Valerie De Anda ◽  
...  

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), an osmolyte produced by oceanic phytoplankton and bacteria, is primarily degraded by bacteria belonging to the Roseobacter lineage and other marine Alphaproteobacteria via DMSP-dependent demethylase A protein (DmdA). To date, the evolutionary history of DmdA gene family is unclear. Some studies indicate a common ancestry between DmdA and GcvT gene families and a co-evolution between Roseobacter and the DMSP-producing-phytoplankton around 250 million years ago (Mya). In this work, we analyzed the evolution of DmdA under three possible evolutionary scenarios: (1) a recent common ancestor of DmdA and GcvT, (2) a coevolution between Roseobacter and the DMSP-producing-phytoplankton, and (3) an enzymatic adaptation for utilizing DMSP in marine bacteria prior to Roseobacter origin. Our analyses indicate that DmdA is a new gene family originated from GcvT genes by duplication and functional divergence driven by positive selection before a coevolution between Roseobacter and phytoplankton. Our data suggest that Roseobacter acquired dmdA by horizontal gene transfer prior to an environment with higher DMSP. Here, we propose that the ancestor that carried the DMSP demethylation pathway genes evolved in the Archean, and was exposed to a higher concentration of DMSP in a sulfur-rich atmosphere and anoxic ocean, compared to recent Roseobacter eco-orthologs (orthologs performing the same function under different conditions), which should be adapted to lower concentrations of DMSP.


2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (9) ◽  
pp. 2527-2531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Varsani ◽  
Eric van der Walt ◽  
Livio Heath ◽  
Edward P. Rybicki ◽  
Anna Lise Williamson ◽  
...  

An open question amongst papillomavirus taxonomists is whether recombination has featured in the evolutionary history of these viruses. Since the onset of the global AIDS epidemic, the question is somewhat less academic, because immune-compromised human immunodeficiency virus patients are often co-infected with extraordinarily diverse mixtures of human papillomavirus (HPV) types. It is expected that these conditions may facilitate the emergence of HPV recombinants, some of which might have novel pathogenic properties. Here, a range of rigorous analyses is applied to full-genome sequences of papillomaviruses to provide convincing statistical and phylogenetic evidence that evolutionarily relevant papillomavirus recombination can occur.


Genetics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 215 (4) ◽  
pp. 1153-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riddhiman K. Garge ◽  
Jon M. Laurent ◽  
Aashiq H. Kachroo ◽  
Edward M. Marcotte

Many gene families have been expanded by gene duplications along the human lineage, relative to ancestral opisthokonts, but the extent to which the duplicated genes function similarly is understudied. Here, we focused on structural cytoskeletal genes involved in critical cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, macromolecular transport, and cell shape maintenance. To determine functional redundancy and divergence of duplicated human genes, we systematically humanized the yeast actin, myosin, tubulin, and septin genes, testing ∼81% of human cytoskeletal genes across seven gene families for their ability to complement a growth defect induced by inactivation or deletion of the corresponding yeast ortholog. In five of seven families—all but α-tubulin and light myosin, we found at least one human gene capable of complementing loss of the yeast gene. Despite rescuing growth defects, we observed differential abilities of human genes to rescue cell morphology, meiosis, and mating defects. By comparing phenotypes of humanized strains with deletion phenotypes of their interaction partners, we identify instances of human genes in the actin and septin families capable of carrying out essential functions, but failing to fully complement the cytoskeletal roles of their yeast orthologs, thus leading to abnormal cell morphologies. Overall, we show that duplicated human cytoskeletal genes appear to have diverged such that only a few human genes within each family are capable of replacing the essential roles of their yeast orthologs. The resulting yeast strains with humanized cytoskeletal components now provide surrogate platforms to characterize human genes in simplified eukaryotic contexts.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 543
Author(s):  
Tamiko Hisanaga ◽  
Catherine Soos ◽  
Nicola Lewis ◽  
Oliver Lung ◽  
Matthew Suderman ◽  
...  

We describe for the first time the genetic and antigenic characterization of 18 avian avulavirus type-6 viruses (AAvV-6) that were isolated from wild waterfowl in the Americas over the span of 12 years. Only one of the AAvV-6 viruses isolated failed to hemagglutinate chicken red blood cells. We were able to obtain full genome sequences of 16 and 2 fusion gene sequences from the remaining 2 isolates. This is more than double the number of full genome sequences available at the NCBI database. These AAvV-6 viruses phylogenetically grouped into the 2 existing AAvV-6 genotype subgroups indicating the existence of an intercontinental epidemiological link with other AAvV-6 viruses isolated from migratory waterfowl from different Eurasian countries. Antigenic maps made using HI assay data for these isolates showed that the two genetic groups were also antigenically distinct. An isolate representing each genotype was inoculated in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens, however, no clinical symptoms were observed. A duplex fusion gene based real-time assay for the detection and genotyping of AAvV-6 to genotype 1 and 2 was developed. Using the developed assay, the viral shedding pattern in the infected chickens was examined. The chickens infected with both genotypes were able to shed the virus orally for about a week, however, no significant cloacal shedding was detected in chickens of both groups. Chickens in both groups developed detectable levels of anti-hemagglutinin antibodies 7 days after infection.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lakspere ◽  
J. Tynell ◽  
M. Kaloinen ◽  
M. Vanlede ◽  
A. Parsons ◽  
...  

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomaž Zorec ◽  
Denis Kutnjak ◽  
Lea Hošnjak ◽  
Blanka Kušar ◽  
Katarina Trčko ◽  
...  

Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) is the sole member of the Molluscipoxvirus genus and the causative agent of molluscum contagiosum (MC), a common skin disease. Although it is an important and frequent human pathogen, its genetic landscape and evolutionary history remain largely unknown. In this study, ten novel complete MCV genome sequences of the two most common MCV genotypes were determined (five MCV1 and five MCV2 sequences) and analyzed together with all MCV complete genomes previously deposited in freely accessible sequence repositories (four MCV1 and a single MCV2). In comparison to MCV1, a higher degree of nucleotide sequence conservation was observed among MCV2 genomes. Large-scale recombination events were identified in two newly assembled MCV1 genomes and one MCV2 genome. One recombination event was located in a newly identified recombinant region of the viral genome, and all previously described recombinant regions were re-identified in at least one novel MCV genome. MCV genes comprising the identified recombinant segments have been previously associated with viral interference with host T-cell and NK-cell immune responses. In conclusion, the two most common MCV genotypes emerged along divergent evolutionary pathways from a common ancestor, and the differences in the heterogeneity of MCV1 and MCV2 populations may be attributed to the strictness of the constraints imposed by the host immune response.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Ravignani ◽  
Sonja Kotz

Increasing empirical research shows a deep connection between timing processes and neural processing of social information. An integrative theoretical framework for prospective studies in humans was recently proposed, linking timing to sociality. A similar framework guiding research in non-human animals is desirable, ideally encompassing as many taxonomic groups and sensory modalities as possible in order to embrace the diversity of social and timing behaviour across species. Here we expand on a previous theoretical account, introducing this debate to animal behaviour. We suggest adopting an evolutionary perspective on social timing in animals: i.e. a comparative approach to probe the link between temporal and social behaviour across a broad range of animal species. This approach should advance our understanding of animal social timing that is, how social behaviour and timing are mutually affected, and possibly of its evolutionary history in our own lineage. We conclude by identifying outstanding questions and testable hypotheses in animal social timing.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Lopes-Marques ◽  
André M. Machado ◽  
Raquel Ruivo ◽  
Elza Fonseca ◽  
Estela Carvalho ◽  
...  

AbstractFatty acids (FAs) constitute a considerable fraction of all lipid molecules with a fundamental role in numerous physiological processes. In animals, the majority of complex lipid molecules are derived from the transformation of FAs through several biochemical pathways. Yet, for FAs to enroll in these pathways they require an activation step. FA activation is catalyzed by the rate limiting action of Acyl-CoA synthases. Several Acyl-CoA enzyme families have been previously described and classified according to the chain length of FA they process. Here, we address the evolutionary history of the ACSBG gene family which activates, FA with more than 16 carbons. Currently, two different ACSBG gene families, ACSBG1 and ACSBG2, are recognized in vertebrates. We provide evidence that a wider and unequal ACSBG gene repertoire is present in vertebrate lineages. We identify a novel ACSBG-like gene lineage which occurs specifically in amphibians, ray finned fish, coelacanths and chondrichthyes named ACSBG3. Also, we show that the ACSBG2 gene lineage duplicated in the Theria ancestor. Our findings, thus offer a far richer understanding on FA activation in vertebrates and provide key insights into the relevance of comparative and functional analysis to perceive physiological differences, namely those related with lipid metabolic pathways.


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