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High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
Published on: March 24, 2015
Evolution of vertebrate interferon inducible transmembrane proteins
Danielle Hickford1, Stephen Frankenberg, Geoff Shaw
1ARC Centre of Excellence for Kangaroo Genomics, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia. hickford@unimelb.edu.au
BMC Genomics
|April 28, 2012
Summary
Interferon inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) in marsupials were characterized, revealing gene clustering and conserved roles. IFITM5 and IFITM10 show distinct evolutionary paths and functions across vertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Mammalian Genetics
Background:
- Interferon inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) are involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, viral defense, bone development, and germ cell function.
- While well-studied in humans and mice, IFITM characterization in other animals, particularly marsupials, is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Interferon inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) in two distinct marsupial species: the tammar wallaby and the grey short-tailed opossum.
- To analyze the evolutionary phylogeny of the IFITM gene family across vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of IFITM genes in tammar wallaby and grey short-tailed opossum genomes.
- Phylogenetic analysis of IFITM sequences across various vertebrate species.
Main Results:
- Five IFITM paralogues were identified in both marsupial species, typically organized in gene clusters with two exons and encoding proteins with two transmembrane domains.
- IFITM5 and IFITM10 were found to have orthologues in both marsupials and eutherians, with IFITM5's bone-specific expression appearing unique to therian mammals.
- IFITM10 demonstrated high conservation across birds, reptiles, and mammals, suggesting a crucial, yet uncharacterized, function.
Conclusions:
- Marsupials, similar to eutherians, possess multiple IFITM genes organized in clusters.
- Divergent expression patterns and limited interspecies sequence conservation suggest that IFITM genes have evolved diverse roles throughout vertebrate evolution.
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