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Piecing together evolution of the vertebrate endocrine system
Robert K Campbell1, Nori Satoh, Bernard M Degnan
1Serono Reproductive Biology Institute, One Technology Place, Rockland, MA 02370, USA. robert.campbell@serrono.com
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|July 21, 2004
Summary
The vertebrate hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral gland (H-P-PG) endocrine system likely evolved through gene family expansion and modifications to ancestral genes. This complex system emerged in few steps, creating efficient steroid hormone synthesis pathways.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Endocrinology
- Genomics
Background:
- Understanding the origin of complex biological systems is a major challenge.
- The vertebrate hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral gland (H-P-PG) endocrine system is a complex network crucial for physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of the vertebrate H-P-PG endocrine system.
- To identify the genetic and regulatory changes that led to the H-P-PG system's emergence.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of metazoan nucleotide and protein sequences.
- Examination of gene conservation patterns between vertebrates and invertebrates (ascidians).
Main Results:
- A patchwork pattern of H-P-PG gene conservation was observed between vertebrates and ascidians.
- The vertebrate H-P-PG system appears to have evolved through gene family expansion and modifications of ancestral genes.
- New connections between metabolic/signaling pathways, like steroid hormone synthesis, were likely formed.
Conclusions:
- The vertebrate H-P-PG endocrine system likely originated from a chordate ancestor through a series of gene family expansions and modifications.
- This evolutionary process involved relatively few steps and resulted in an efficient system for hormone synthesis.