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Nematode genome sequence dramatically extends the nuclear receptor superfamily.
1Department of Biosciences, Karolinska Institute, NOVUM, S-14186 Huddinge, Sweden. eva.enmark@cbt.ki.se
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences
|February 26, 2000
Summary
The discovery of 228 nuclear receptor genes in C. elegans challenges previous understanding. Further research is needed to determine if these receptors have mammalian counterparts, potentially expanding the human nuclear receptor superfamily.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nuclear receptors are key regulators of gene transcription, activated by ligands.
- Approximately 70 nuclear receptors are known in mammals and insects.
- The completion of the C. elegans genome revealed a significantly larger number of nuclear receptor genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unexpected abundance of nuclear receptor genes in C. elegans.
- To explore the evolutionary implications of the expanded nuclear receptor family in C. elegans.
- To assess the potential for homologous nuclear receptors in mammalian species.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide analysis of the C. elegans genome.
- Bioinformatic identification of nuclear receptor genes.
- Comparative genomics to identify homologous sequences.
Main Results:
- At least 228 nuclear receptor genes were identified in C. elegans.
- A majority of these C. elegans nuclear receptors lack clear homologues in other species.
- The evolutionary origins and functions of these novel receptors remain largely unknown.
Conclusions:
- The C. elegans genome harbors a disproportionately large number of nuclear receptors compared to other species.
- Further investigation is required to determine if these novel receptors have mammalian orthologs.
- The potential discovery of mammalian homologues could significantly expand the known human nuclear receptor superfamily.