Dynamic Molecular Evolution of Mammalian Homeobox Genes: Duplication, Loss, Divergence and Gene Conversion Sculpt PRD Class Repertoires.

Autor: Lewin TD; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK., Royall AH; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK., Holland PWH; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK. peter.holland@zoo.ox.ac.uk.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of molecular evolution [J Mol Evol] 2021 Jul; Vol. 89 (6), pp. 396-414. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jun 07.
DOI: 10.1007/s00239-021-10012-6
Abstrakt: The majority of homeobox genes are highly conserved across animals, but the eutherian-specific ETCHbox genes, embryonically expressed and highly divergent duplicates of CRX, are a notable exception. Here we compare the ETCHbox genes of 34 mammalian species, uncovering dynamic patterns of gene loss and tandem duplication, including the presence of a large tandem array of LEUTX loci in the genome of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Despite extensive gene gain and loss, all sampled species possess at least two ETCHbox genes, suggesting their collective role is indispensable. We find evidence for positive selection and show that TPRX1 and TPRX2 have been the subject of repeated gene conversion across the Boreoeutheria, homogenising their sequences and preventing divergence, especially in the homeobox region. Together, these results are consistent with a model where mammalian ETCHbox genes are dynamic in evolution due to functional overlap, yet have collective indispensable roles.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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