Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

1.9K
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
1.9K
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

4.2K
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
4.2K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

2.3K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.3K
Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

40.2K
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...
40.2K
Intracellular Hormone Receptors01:08

Intracellular Hormone Receptors

61.7K
Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse across the plasma and nuclear membrane of target cells to bind to their specific intracellular receptors. These receptors act as transcription factors that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in the target cell
61.7K
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

15.2K
Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
15.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

IL-10 delays the degeneration of intervertebral discs by suppressing the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Free radical biology & medicine·2019
Same author

Effects of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis on <i>Talaromyces marneffei</i> infection in HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy: a retrospective cohort study.

Emerging microbes & infections·2019
Same author

Double-Layered M2e-NA Protein Nanoparticle Immunization Induces Broad Cross-Protection against Different Influenza Viruses in Mice.

Advanced healthcare materials·2019
Same author

Characterization and immune function of the interferon-β promoter stimulator-1 in the barbel chub, Squaliobarbus curriculus.

Developmental and comparative immunology·2019
Same author

Curcumin prevents high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in ApoE<sup>-/-</sup> mice by improving intestinal barrier function and reducing endotoxin and liver TLR4/NF-κB inflammation.

Nutrition & metabolism·2019
Same author

Electroactive composite scaffold with locally expressed osteoinductive factor for synergistic bone repair upon electrical stimulation.

Biomaterials·2019

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
10:00

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

Published on: March 24, 2015

13.9K

Evolution of Interferons and Interferon Receptors.

Chris J Secombes1, Jun Zou1

  • 1Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre, University of Aberdeen , Aberdeen , UK.

Frontiers in Immunology
|March 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Interferon (IFN) genes likely existed in early jawed vertebrates and have diversified through genome duplication and retrotransposition events throughout vertebrate evolution. This review traces the evolution of IFN genes from early vertebrates to mammals.

Keywords:
evolutionfishgene duplicationinterferoninterferon receptorretrotranspositionvertebrate

More Related Videos

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-&#945;
08:26

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α

Published on: June 14, 2018

12.6K
Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization
08:57

Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization

Published on: October 6, 2019

10.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes
10:00

High-throughput Quantitative Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Determining Expression Profiles of Types I and III Interferon Subtypes

Published on: March 24, 2015

13.9K
Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-&#945;
08:26

Development and Validation of an Ultrasensitive Single Molecule Array Digital Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Human Interferon-α

Published on: June 14, 2018

12.6K
Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization
08:57

Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization

Published on: October 6, 2019

10.8K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Immunology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Interferon (IFN) genes are found across jawed vertebrates, including cartilaginous and bony fish, and tetrapods.
  • IFNs are believed to have evolved from a class II helical cytokine ancestor, alongside the interleukin (IL)-10 family.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconstruct the interferon system of the earliest jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomes).
  • To analyze the evolutionary changes in IFN gene number, organization, and protein structure across vertebrate lineages.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of IFN genes in cartilaginous fish and mammals.
  • Tracing the impact of whole genome duplication (WGD) events on IFN gene evolution.
  • Investigating the role of retrotransposition in IFN gene expansion.

Main Results:

  • Early Gnathostomes likely possessed interferon genes, with origins tracing back to a common ancestor with IL-10.
  • Multiple rounds of genome duplication and retrotransposition events have driven significant diversification and expansion of IFN genes.
  • Specific teleost lineages show extensive duplication of IFN loci.

Conclusions:

  • The interferon system has a deep evolutionary history in vertebrates, originating before the divergence of major fish groups and tetrapods.
  • Genome duplication and retrotransposition are key mechanisms shaping the evolution and diversity of IFN genes.
  • Comparative genomics provides insights into the ancestral IFN repertoire and subsequent evolutionary trajectories.