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Related Concept Videos

Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was  generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
Gene Families01:57

Gene Families

Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate.
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
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Globular and Fibrous Proteins

Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
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Globular and Fibrous Proteins

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Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
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General Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...

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Identification and Classification of Position-specific GABAA Receptor Subunit Missense Variants for Their Role In Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons
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Species-specific functional evolution of neuroglobin.

Keisuke Wakasugi1, Nozomu Takahashi, Hiroyuki Uchida

  • 1Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan. wakasugi@bio.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Marine Genomics
|August 27, 2011
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Summary

Human neuroglobin (Ngb) protects brain cells and inhibits G-protein activity, while fish Ngb enters cells via unique surface interactions. These distinct functions highlight Ngb

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a brain-expressed heme protein involved in neuroprotection.
  • Human Ngb exhibits guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) activity towards Gα(i) proteins.
  • Zebrafish Ngb lacks GDI activity but possesses cell-transducing properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary divergence of Ngb functions, specifically GDI and protein transduction activities.
  • To identify key residues responsible for human Ngb's GDI and neuroprotective roles.
  • To elucidate the mechanism and specific residues mediating zebrafish Ngb's cell penetration.

Main Methods:

  • Site-directed mutagenesis of human and zebrafish Ngb.
  • Assays for GDI activity and neuroprotection.
  • Protein transduction studies and cell-surface interaction analysis (glycosaminoglycan binding).

Main Results:

  • Human Ngb's GDI activity, crucial for neuroprotection, is linked to specific conserved residues (Glu53, Arg97, Glu118, Glu151).
  • Zebrafish Ngb demonstrates protein transduction, facilitated by residues Lys7, Lys9, Lys21, and Lys23, conserved in fish.
  • Zebrafish Ngb interacts with cell-surface glycosaminoglycans, enabling cell entry.

Conclusions:

  • Ngb function has evolved dynamically, with distinct roles in mammals (neuroprotection via GDI) and fish (cell penetration).
  • Specific amino acid residues dictate species-specific Ngb functions, reflecting evolutionary adaptation.
  • The ability of fish Ngb to translocate into cells represents a unique evolutionary trajectory.