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Pseudogenes in ribonuclease evolution: a source of new biomacromolecular function?
N Trabesinger-Ruef1, T Jermann, T Zankel
1Department of Chemistry, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland.
FEBS Letters
|March 18, 1996
Summary
Bovine seminal ribonuclease (RNase) evolved from pancreatic RNase. This pseudogene was reactivated between 5-10 million years ago, possibly via gene conversion, and now rapidly evolves to fulfill a new function.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Molecular evolution
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bovine seminal ribonuclease (RNase) originated from pancreatic RNase via gene duplication approximately 35 million years ago.
- The seminal RNase gene family existed as unexpressed pseudogenes for a significant evolutionary period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary history and functional changes of bovine seminal RNase.
- To understand the mechanisms behind the reactivation and rapid evolution of the seminal RNase pseudogene.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of RNase gene sequences.
- Comparative analysis of substitution rates (non-silent vs. silent) between pancreatic and seminal RNases.
- Sequence analysis to infer gene conversion events.
Main Results:
- Bovine seminal RNase pseudogene was repaired and expressed between 5 and 10 million years ago.
- Evidence suggests gene conversion from the pancreatic RNase gene to the seminal RNase pseudogene.
- Genes expressed in seminal plasma exhibit rapid amino acid sequence evolution, indicating adaptation to a new role.
Conclusions:
- Bovine seminal RNase underwent a unique evolutionary trajectory, including pseudogene reactivation and rapid functional adaptation.
- Gene conversion may have played a crucial role in restoring the functional capacity of the seminal RNase gene.
- The rapid evolution of seminal RNase suggests the emergence of a novel physiological function in bovine seminal plasma.