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Published on: December 21, 2019
Evolution of DDB1-binding WD40 (DWD) in the viridiplantae
Rahul Tevatia1, George A Oyler1,2
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
Damaged DNA Binding 1 (DDB1)-binding WD40 (DWD) proteins are crucial for plant development and stress responses. This study reveals DWD protein evolution in Viridiplantae, driven by gene duplication and genetic flow, highlighting their conserved roles.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Evolution
- Genomics
Background:
- Damaged DNA Binding 1 (DDB1)-binding WD40 (DWD) proteins are vital for diverse plant functions, including development and stress adaptation.
- Understanding the evolutionary history of DWD proteins in Viridiplantae is key to deciphering their functional diversification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate putative DWD homologs across Viridiplantae.
- To establish a comprehensive evolutionary understanding of DWD proteins.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide retrieval of DWD proteins using publicly available genomic data.
- Classification of DWD proteins based on motif position, count, and domain composition.
- Phylogenetic analysis of DWD proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana to group these substrate receptors.
Main Results:
- A comprehensive DWD database for photoautotrophs was generated.
- Most DWDs (72-80%) possess one DWD motif; 17-24% have two, and a small fraction (0.5-4.7%) have three.
- Phylogenetic analysis grouped Arabidopsis DWDs into 15 distinct clusters.
- The DWD to WD40 ratio remained constant, despite an increase in DWD count from microalgae to land plants.
- DWD expansion is attributed to consistent genetic flow and gene duplication events.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a robust classification and evolutionary framework for DWD proteins in Viridiplantae.
- DWD protein evolution is characterized by gene duplication and genetic flow, maintaining functional relevance.
- The findings underscore the evolutionary significance of DWD proteins in plant adaptation and development.
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