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Sequence analysis and evolutionary aspects of piscine alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin mRNA transcripts
S Hanley1, J O McInerney, R Powell
1Department of Microbiology, University College Galway, Ireland.
Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology
|June 1, 1995
Summary
The ancestral alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin (AMBP) gene is now estimated to be over 450 million years old, originating much earlier than previously thought. This suggests a conserved function across mammals and fish, though some fish protein domains show rapid evolution.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin (AMBP) protein is found in mammals and plays various roles.
- Previous studies estimated the origin of the ancestral AMBP gene to be between 270 and 80 million years ago.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history of the AMBP gene by including piscine (fish) sequences.
- To refine the estimated origin date of the ancestral AMBP gene and related protein domains.
Main Methods:
- Comparative sequence analysis of mammalian and piscine AMBP messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein sequences.
- Phylogenetic analysis to estimate divergence times.
Main Results:
- The analysis of piscine AMBP mRNA sequences suggests the ancestral AMBP gene originated over 450 million years ago, significantly earlier than prior estimates.
- The origin of the ancestral Kunitz-type protein domain was revised to approximately 875 million years ago.
- Evolutionary conservation of AMBP sequences indicates a common functional significance in teleosts (fish) and mammals.
- Domain II of piscine bikunin sequences exhibits an unusually rapid rate of evolution, suggesting a loss of strict orthology in fish.
Conclusions:
- The ancestral AMBP gene is considerably older than previously determined, with origins predating the diversification of many vertebrate groups.
- While core AMBP functions appear conserved, rapid evolution in specific domains like piscine bikunin domain II highlights adaptive changes and potential functional divergence in fish.
- This study provides new insights into the deep evolutionary history and functional diversification of the AMBP gene family across vertebrates.