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Identification of four FGF receptor genes in Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes)
1Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Four types of cDNA clones encoding tyrosine kinases highly homologous to mammalian fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGF-R) were isolated from Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Comparison of the four deduced amino acid sequences with four known mammalian FGF-Rs indicated that four FGF-R species corresponding to mammalian FGF-Rs exist universally in vertebrates including fishes, although FGF-R4 might have diverged sequences between fishes and mammals. Each of four FGF-R genes is transcribed to various extents as multiple mRNAs possibly by alternative splicing in adult fishes.
Insights
Researchers identified four fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-R) genes in Medaka fish, confirming their universal presence across vertebrates. These fish FGF-Rs show evolutionary conservation, with some sequence divergence in FGF-R4.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGF-Rs) are crucial cell surface receptors involved in various biological processes.
- Understanding the evolutionary conservation of FGF-Rs across different vertebrate species is important for deciphering their fundamental roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-R) genes from Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes).
- To investigate the evolutionary conservation and diversity of FGF-R genes in vertebrates, including fish.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to isolate cDNA clones.
- Deduced amino acid sequences were compared with known mammalian FGF-Rs.
Main Results:
- Four types of cDNA clones encoding tyrosine kinases highly homologous to mammalian FGF-Rs were successfully isolated from Medaka fish.
- The study confirmed the existence of four FGF-R species in vertebrates, including fish, indicating universal conservation.
- Sequence analysis suggested potential divergence in FGF-R4 between fish and mammals.
Conclusions:
- Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF-R) genes are universally conserved across vertebrates, extending to fish species like Medaka.
- The identified Medaka FGF-Rs provide insights into the evolutionary history and functional conservation of these important receptors.
- Evidence suggests that alternative splicing may contribute to the diversity of FGF-R mRNA transcripts in adult fish.