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Concerted evolution of human interferon alpha genes.
Journal of Interferon Research
|January 1, 1983
Summary
Human interferon alpha (HuIFN-alpha) genes show surprising similarity, unlike other species. This suggests possible concerted evolution, questioning the recent divergence of the HuIFN-alpha gene family.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple interferon (IFN) alpha genes are found across different animal species.
- Human interferon alpha (HuIFN-alpha) genes exhibit a high degree of nucleotide sequence similarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history of human interferon alpha (HuIFN-alpha) gene family.
- To evaluate the hypothesis of concerted evolution versus recent divergence for HuIFN-alpha genes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative nucleotide sequence analysis of HuIFN-alpha genes.
- Phylogenetic analysis to infer evolutionary relationships.
Main Results:
- HuIFN-alpha genes are remarkably similar in nucleotide sequence compared to IFN-alpha genes in other species.
- Evidence indicates that concerted evolution may have influenced the HuIFN-alpha gene family to some extent.
Conclusions:
- The high similarity of HuIFN-alpha genes challenges the conclusion of their recent divergence.
- Concerted evolution is a plausible mechanism shaping the HuIFN-alpha gene family, requiring further investigation.