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Molecular evolution at the decapentaplegic locus in Drosophila
S J Newfeld1, R W Padgett, S D Findley
1Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Genetics
|February 1, 1997
Summary
The decapentaplegic (dpp) gene in Drosophila shows conserved sequences in its C-terminal ligand region and specific noncoding areas, indicating functional importance. Molecular evolution reveals variability in the N-terminal region but conservation in the central and C-terminal protein domains.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Evolution
- Genetics
Background:
- The decapentaplegic (dpp) gene encodes a crucial signaling molecule in Drosophila development.
- DPP protein, a member of the TGF-beta superfamily, regulates cell fate in a concentration-dependent manner.
- Understanding dpp gene organization and evolution is key to deciphering developmental processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sequence-level organization of the dpp gene locus in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To explore the molecular evolution of the dpp gene through interspecific comparisons.
- To identify conserved and variable regions within the dpp gene and its transcripts.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis of the dpp locus in Drosophila melanogaster.
- Interspecific sequence comparisons with D. simulans, D. pseudoobscura, and D. virilis.
- Analysis of cDNA sequences from five classes of dpp transcripts.
Main Results:
- Significant selective constraint observed on both nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the dpp gene.
- High conservation in the C-terminal ligand region and central portion of the DPP protein.
- Variability in the N-terminal protein region; conserved noncoding regions found in the 3' UTR of exon 3 and intron between exons 2 and 3.
Conclusions:
- The dpp gene exhibits distinct evolutionary patterns across its coding and noncoding regions.
- Conserved regions suggest critical functional roles in developmental signaling.
- All identified dpp transcripts encode the same polypeptide, indicating a unified functional output.