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Related Concept Videos

Gene Families01:57

Gene Families

Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate.
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...
Globular and Fibrous Proteins02:21

Globular and Fibrous Proteins

Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
Globular and Fibrous Proteins02:21

Globular and Fibrous Proteins

Many proteins can be classified into two distinct subtypes - globular or fibrous. These two types differ in their shapes and solubilities.
Globular proteins are also known as spheroproteins and typically are approximately round in shape. They contain a mix of amino acid types and contain differing sequences in their primary structures. Globular proteins have many different functions, such as enzymes, cellular messengers, and molecular transporters. These roles often require the proteins to be...
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
Protein Families02:47

Protein Families

Protein families are groups of homologous proteins; that is, they have similarities in amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures. Protein families usually occur because of gene duplication, where an additional copy of a gene is inserted into the genome of an organism.   Mutations that change the amino acids but still allow the protein to be properly synthesized, will lead to new protein family members.   If these new proteins contain similar amino acids in key locations, protein...
Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

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.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.

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Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
09:43

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 9, 2015

Globin phylogeny, evolution and function, the newest update.

Claudio David Schuster1,2, Franco Salvatore1,2, Luc Moens3

  • 1Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Proteins
|January 9, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Globin evolution traces back to a single ancestral domain predating life

Keywords:
EvolutionPhylogenyStructure/Function

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The globin domain is ancient, originating before the diversification of life's major kingdoms.
  • Three primary globin families (M, S, and T) emerged early in prokaryotic evolution, spreading via gene transfer.
  • Non-globin domains were later acquired and lost, shaping multi-domain globin structures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To refine understanding of globin origin and evolution.
  • To clarify the structure-function relationships of globin families.
  • To place globin evolution within the context of the tree of life.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis.
  • Structural analysis of globin domains and multi-domain proteins.
  • Examination of sequence features and their correlation with function.

Main Results:

  • The ancestral globin was a single, α-helical domain.
  • M, S, and T families diversified early, with M and S families developing multi-domain sensor functions.
  • T-family globins evolved diverse roles in reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) chemistry and oxygen transport.
  • M-family evolution shows a shift in oxygen affinity regulation from microbial RNOS-related functions to animal oxygen storage/transport.

Conclusions:

  • Globin evolution is characterized by domain duplication, acquisition/loss of non-globin domains, and diversification of function.
  • The ancestral globin's structure and early diversification set the stage for its widespread roles in oxygen and RNOS metabolism.
  • Evolutionary pressures have shaped distinct functional adaptations in M, S, and T globin families across all domains of life.