Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Co-immunoprecipitation of the Mouse Mx1 Protein with the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein
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Co-immunoprecipitation of the Mouse Mx1 Protein with the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein

Published on: April 21, 2015

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Antiviral Mx proteins have an ancient origin and widespread distribution among eukaryotes

Caroline A Langley1,2,3, Peter A Dietzen1,2,3, Michael Emerman2,3

  • 1Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|August 16, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Mx proteins, ancient antivirals within the Dynamin superfamily, originated before vertebrate interferon systems. These proteins have deep evolutionary roots, predating the origin of Eukarya and showing a history of viral interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Virology
  • Cellular dynamics

Background:

  • Mx proteins are potent broad-spectrum antivirals identified in mammals.
  • They belong to the Dynamin superfamily of proteins (DSP), involved in crucial cellular processes.
  • The evolutionary origins and ancient functions of Mx proteins remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins of Mx proteins.
  • To determine the phylogenetic relationship of Mx proteins within the Dynamin superfamily.
  • To understand the ancient history of viral and antiviral functions within the DSP.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenomic analyses with increasing taxonomic scope.
  • Phylogenetic reconstructions of the Dynamin superfamily.
  • Comparative analysis of host- and virus-encoded DSPs.

Main Results:

  • Mx proteins predate the vertebrate interferon signaling system.
  • An ancient monophyletic DSP lineage includes vertebrate/invertebrate Mx, fungal MxF, and plant/algal Dynamin 4A/4C proteins.
  • Mx-like proteins trace back to the origin of Eukarya.
  • Evidence of recurrent viral gene theft within the DSP, with host and NCLDV-encoded DSPs interspersed in four lineages.

Conclusions:

  • Mx proteins have ancient origins, dating back to the dawn of Eukarya.
  • The Dynamin superfamily has a long history of encoding both host antiviral functions and being subject to viral theft.
  • Understanding DSP evolution provides insights into host-pathogen interactions over deep evolutionary time.

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