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Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin

Published on: August 14, 2018

Evolution of plant nucleotide-sugar interconversion enzymes.

Yanbin Yin¹, Jinling Huang, Xiaogang Gu

¹Computational System Biology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America.

|November 30, 2011

Summary

The evolution of plant nucleotide-diphospho-sugar interconversion enzymes (NSEs) traces back to ancient prokaryotes, with most families originating from different progenitor genes. This study proposes an evolutionary model for these essential enzymes involved in polysaccharide synthesis.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Evolutionary Biology
Plant Science

Background:

Nucleotide-diphospho-sugars (NDP-sugars) are crucial building blocks for polysaccharides and glycoconjugates.
Plants possess 11 families of NDP-sugar interconversion enzymes (NSEs) with characterized functions but poorly understood evolutionary origins.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolutionary history and origin of the 11 plant NSE families.
To propose a model for the evolution of NSEs.

Main Methods:

Phylogenetic analyses of NSE families.
Comparative genomics of NSE-like genes across different organisms.

Main Results:

All 11 plant NSE families are distantly related, with most originating from different prokaryotic progenitor genes.
NSE families are present in early plant lineages (mosses) and algae, indicating early evolution of NDP-sugar synthesis capabilities.
Specific evolutionary pathways were identified, such as gene fusion in RHM evolution and domain loss in NRS/ER evolution.
NSEs are abundant in organisms with carbohydrate-rich cell walls (plants, algae) and rare in others (animals, fungi).

Conclusions:

An evolutionary model for NSE families is proposed, suggesting ancient origins and diverse evolutionary trajectories.
The study provides insights into gene evolution and potential functions, aiding in the identification of novel genes for glycosylated molecule synthesis.