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Structural similarities between mRNA for the formyl peptide receptors and 18S rRNA
M A Panaro1, A Acquafredda, M Sisto
1Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Abstract:
Formyl peptides released by some bacteria are powerful chemoattractants and activators of mammalian granulocytes and monocytes, acting through 7-transmembrane specific formyl peptide receptors (FPRs). Three distinct segments of the formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) mRNA of Man share probabilistically significant homologies with segments of the 18S rRNA which are highly conserved from Drosophila to Man. Overall, the three segments cover approximately 24% that of the 18S rRNA sequence and approximately 36% of the FPR1 sequence. The three segments are, however, arranged in different orders in the 18S rRNAs and in the FPR1 mRNA, the segment appearing in the first location in the 18S rRNAs is located at the end of the FPR1 mRNA sequence. The hypothesis is advanced that the three "conserved" segments either derive from an ancestral gene that is the forerunner of both the ribosomal 18S genes and the FPR genes or that at some stage of evolution the FPR genes derived, at least in part, from the more ancient ribosomal 18S genes. The extant 18S rRNA sequences exhibit obvious signs of a number of breaks that occurred during evolution, especially in the transition from insects to vertebrates. Some of these events may have resulted in differential rearrangements of segments in the groups of FPR genes and ribosomal 18S genes.
Insights
Segments of human formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) mRNA show homology with 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). This suggests a potential shared ancestry or evolutionary origin between FPR genes and ancient ribosomal genes.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Formyl peptides are bacterial chemoattractants activating mammalian immune cells via formyl peptide receptors (FPRs).
- Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is a key receptor in this pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary relationship between formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA).
- To explore potential shared genetic origins between immune system genes and fundamental cellular machinery.
Main Methods:
- Comparative sequence analysis of human FPR1 mRNA and 18S rRNA from Drosophila to humans.
- Probabilistic homology assessment of conserved sequence segments.
Main Results:
- Three distinct segments of human FPR1 mRNA exhibit significant homology with conserved segments of 18S rRNA.
- These homologous segments constitute approximately 36% of FPR1 and 24% of 18S rRNA.
- The order of these segments differs between FPR1 mRNA and 18S rRNA, with rearrangements observed.
Conclusions:
- The findings support a hypothesis of shared ancestry, suggesting FPR genes may have originated from or share a common forerunner with ribosomal 18S genes.
- Evolutionary events, including gene duplication and rearrangement, likely played a role in the divergence of FPR and rRNA genes.
- The observed sequence conservation and rearrangements offer insights into the evolution of both immune response and basic cellular functions.
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