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Related Concept Videos

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Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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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.
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While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
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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. 
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Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
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Using Phylogenetic Analysis to Investigate Eukaryotic Gene Origin
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The Azurin Coding Gene: Origin and Phylogenetic Distribution.

Leandro Gammuto1, Carolina Chiellini2, Marta Iozzo3

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy.

Microorganisms
|January 21, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Azurin, a bacterial protein with anticancer properties, is found beyond Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study reveals its widespread distribution across various bacterial phyla, suggesting ancient gene transfer and loss events.

Keywords:
BacteroidetesProteobacteriaVerrucomicrobiaazurinbacteriagenomicsp28phylogeny

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Azurin is a bacterial cupredoxin primarily involved in electron transport.
  • Recent interest in azurin stems from its anticancer activity and therapeutic potential.
  • Research has predominantly focused on azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct the first comprehensive screening of azurin distribution across all domains of life.
  • To investigate the evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships of the azurin gene.
  • To identify conserved domains within azurin and their potential role in anticancer activity.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide screening of bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic databases for azurin genes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of retrieved azurin sequences.
  • Bioinformatic identification of conserved domains within azurin proteins.

Main Results:

  • Azurin genes were absent in Archaea and Eucarya, but found in diverse bacterial phyla beyond Proteobacteria, including Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Chloroflexi.
  • Patchy distribution and phylogenetic data suggest a combination of gene loss, horizontal gene transfer, and vertical inheritance.
  • A conserved domain, known as the p28 domain in P. aeruginosa, was identified across all investigated azurin members.

Conclusions:

  • Azurin distribution is more widespread in bacteria than previously thought, indicating complex evolutionary dynamics.
  • The conserved p28 domain is crucial for azurin's anticancer activity, offering new therapeutic insights.
  • These findings open new avenues for understanding azurin's anticancer mechanisms and developing novel cancer treatments.