Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
09:27
Functional Complementation Analysis FCA: A Laboratory Exercise Designed and Implemented to Supplement the Teaching of Biochemical Pathways
Published on: June 24, 2016
17.6K
The Establishment of Complement System Is from Gene Duplication and Domain Shuffling
Jiejie Sun1,2, Chang Liu1,2, Lingling Wang1,2,3
1Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Animal Immunology, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 10, 2024
Summary
The complement system, a key defense mechanism, evolved from early organisms like Coelenterata. This study traces the evolutionary origins of complement components (C3, C1q, C2, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, BF, MASP) across metazoan phyla.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- The complement system is a crucial part of innate immunity in vertebrates.
- Its evolutionary origins and the presence of its components in diverse metazoan phyla are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history of key complement system components across metazoan subphyla/phyla.
- To identify the earliest origins of complement factors and their evolutionary relationships.
Main Methods:
- Genomic screening and analysis of complement components in various metazoan species.
- Phylogenetic analysis to trace the evolutionary trajectory of complement genes.
Main Results:
- Complement component C3 originated in Coelenterata, while C1q appeared in Annelida.
- Components like C1r, C1s, C4, and C5 are found in Chondrichthyes and higher vertebrates.
- The study identified evolutionary links between vertebrate C1r/C1s and invertebrate MASP/MASPL proteases, and traced the origins of MAC components (C6L, C7L, C8) to Urochordata and Cephalochordata.
Conclusions:
- The complement system exhibits deep evolutionary roots, with components emerging at different stages across metazoan evolution.
- The findings illuminate the evolutionary trajectory and increasing sophistication of the complement system from invertebrates to vertebrates.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Complement System
2.3K
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a...
2.3K
02:37Gene Duplication and Divergence
6.1K
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...
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...
6.1K
01:57Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
2.5K
Groups of proteins may form a complex where each protein in this complex has a different role in the overall execution of the complex’s function. Often some of the proteins in the complex can be replaced by a closely related variant to give a complex that contains many of the same components yet is functionally distinct.
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order...
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order...
2.5K
02:32Exon Recombination
3.6K
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...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
3.6K
00:49Complementation Tests
4.9K
A complementation test is a simple cross to identify whether the two mutations are located on the same gene or different genes. It was first performed by Edward Lewis in the 1940s while working on fruit flies. He developed the test to identify the location and arrangement of different mutations on chromosomes.
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...
4.9K
02:26Conservation of Protein Domains Over Different Proteins
10.8K
Protein domains are small structurally independent units that are part of a single amino acid chain. Although these domains are often structurally independent, they may rely on synergistic effects to perform their functions as part of a larger protein. Protein domains may be conserved within the same organism, as well as across different organisms.
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
A limited set of protein domains often duplicate and recombine during evolution. These domains can be organized in different combinations to...
10.8K