scholarly journals Evolution of the α2-adrenoreceptors in vertebrates: ADRA2D is absent in mammals and crocodiles

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor A. Céspedes ◽  
Kattina Zavala ◽  
Juan C. Opazo
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Alternative Variant ◽  
History Of ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Fourth Member ◽  
Lamprey Species

AbstractEvolutionary studies of genes that have been functionally characterized and whose variation has been associated with pathological conditions represent an opportunity to understand the genetic basis of pathologies. α2-adrenoreceptors (ADRA2) are a class of G protein-coupled receptors that regulate several physiological processes including blood pressure, platelet aggregation, insulin secretion, lipolysis, and neurotransmitter release. This gene family has been extensively studied from a molecular/physiological perspective, yet much less is known about its evolutionary history. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the evolutionary history of α2-adrenoreceptors (ADRA2) in vertebrates. Our results show that in addition to the three well-recognized α2-adrenoreceptor genes (ADRA2A, ADRA2B and ADRA2C), we recovered a clade that corresponds to the fourth member of the α2-adrenoreceptor gene family (ADRA2D). We also recovered a clade that possesses two ADRA2 sequences found in two lamprey species. Furthermore, our results show that mammals and crocodiles are characterized by possessing three α2-adrenoreceptor genes, whereas all other vertebrate groups possess the full repertoire of α2-adrenoreceptor genes. Among vertebrates ADRA2D seems to be a dispensable gene, as it was lost two independent times during the evolutionary history of the group. Additionally, we found that most examined species possess the most common alleles described for humans; however, there are cases in which non-human mammals possess the alternative variant.

scholarly journals Expansion, retention and loss in the Acyl-CoA Synthetase “Bubblegum” (Acsbg) gene family in vertebrate history

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Lopes-Marques ◽  
André M. Machado ◽  
Raquel Ruivo ◽  
Elza Fonseca ◽  
Estela Carvalho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Gene Families ◽  
Gene Repertoire ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Complex Lipid ◽  
History Of ◽  
Enzyme Families ◽  
Rate Limiting

AbstractFatty acids (FAs) constitute a considerable fraction of all lipid molecules with a fundamental role in numerous physiological processes. In animals, the majority of complex lipid molecules are derived from the transformation of FAs through several biochemical pathways. Yet, for FAs to enroll in these pathways they require an activation step. FA activation is catalyzed by the rate limiting action of Acyl-CoA synthases. Several Acyl-CoA enzyme families have been previously described and classified according to the chain length of FA they process. Here, we address the evolutionary history of the ACSBG gene family which activates, FA with more than 16 carbons. Currently, two different ACSBG gene families, ACSBG1 and ACSBG2, are recognized in vertebrates. We provide evidence that a wider and unequal ACSBG gene repertoire is present in vertebrate lineages. We identify a novel ACSBG-like gene lineage which occurs specifically in amphibians, ray finned fish, coelacanths and chondrichthyes named ACSBG3. Also, we show that the ACSBG2 gene lineage duplicated in the Theria ancestor. Our findings, thus offer a far richer understanding on FA activation in vertebrates and provide key insights into the relevance of comparative and functional analysis to perceive physiological differences, namely those related with lipid metabolic pathways.

scholarly journals Evolution of the FGF Gene Family

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvan Oulion ◽  
Stephanie Bertrand ◽  
Hector Escriva
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase Receptors ◽  
Cell Behavior ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Small Proteins ◽  
Synteny Conservation ◽  
History Of

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) are small proteins generally secreted, acting through binding to transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors (FGFRs). Activation of FGFRs triggers several cytoplasmic cascades leading to the modification of cell behavior. FGFs play critical roles in a variety of developmental and physiological processes. Since their discovery in mammals, FGFs have been found in many metazoans and some arthropod viruses. Efforts have been previously made to decipher the evolutionary history of this family but conclusions were limited due to a poor taxonomic coverage. We took advantage of the availability of many new sequences from diverse metazoan lineages to further explore the possible evolutionary scenarios explaining the diversity of the FGF gene family. Our analyses, based on phylogenetics and synteny conservation approaches, allow us to propose a new classification of FGF genes into eight subfamilies, and to draw hypotheses for the evolutionary events leading to the present diversity of this gene family.

scholarly journals Molecular evolutionary analysis of human primary microcephaly genes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nashaiman Pervaiz ◽  
Hongen Kang ◽  
Yiming Bao ◽  
Amir Ali Abbasi
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Australopithecus Afarensis ◽  
Primary Microcephaly ◽  
Modern Humans ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background There has been a rapid increase in the brain size relative to body size during mammalian evolutionary history. In particular, the enlarged and globular brain is the most distinctive anatomical feature of modern humans that set us apart from other extinct and extant primate species. Genetic basis of large brain size in modern humans has largely remained enigmatic. Genes associated with the pathological reduction of brain size (primary microcephaly-MCPH) have the characteristics and functions to be considered ideal candidates to unravel the genetic basis of evolutionary enlargement of human brain size. For instance, the brain size of microcephaly patients is similar to the brain size of Pan troglodyte and the very early hominids like the Sahelanthropus tchadensis and Australopithecus afarensis. Results The present study investigates the molecular evolutionary history of subset of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) genes; CEP135, ZNF335, PHC1, SASS6, CDK6, MFSD2A, CIT, and KIF14 across 48 mammalian species. Codon based substitutions site analysis indicated that ZNF335, SASS6, CIT, and KIF14 have experienced positive selection in eutherian evolutionary history. Estimation of divergent selection pressure revealed that almost all of the MCPH genes analyzed in the present study have maintained their functions throughout the history of placental mammals. Contrary to our expectations, human-specific adoptive evolution was not detected for any of the MCPH genes analyzed in the present study. Conclusion Based on these data it can be inferred that protein-coding sequence of MCPH genes might not be the sole determinant of increase in relative brain size during primate evolutionary history.

scholarly journals Understudied G Protein-Coupled Receptors in the Kidney

Nephron ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Nathan A. Zaidman ◽  
Jennifer L. Pluznick
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
G Protein ◽  
External Environment ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Cell Surface Proteins ◽  
Large Subset ◽  
G Protein Coupled

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are cell surface proteins which play a key role in allowing cells, tissues, and organs to respond to changes in the external environment in order to maintain homeostasis. Despite the fact that GPCRs are known to play key roles in a variety of tissues, there are a large subset of GPCRs that remain poorly studied. In this minireview, we will summarize what is known regarding the “understudied” GPCRs with respect to renal function, and in so doing will highlight the promise represented by studying this gene family.

Early origin of sweet perception in the songbird radiation

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 373 (6551) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuka Toda ◽  
Meng-Ching Ko ◽  
Qiaoyi Liang ◽  
Eliot T. Miller ◽  
Alejandro Rico-Guevara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Sensory Biology ◽  
Avian Evolution ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Evolutionary Radiation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sensory Convergence ◽  
Early Origin

Early events in the evolutionary history of a clade can shape the sensory systems of descendant lineages. Although the avian ancestor may not have had a sweet receptor, the widespread incidence of nectar-feeding birds suggests multiple acquisitions of sugar detection. In this study, we identify a single early sensory shift of the umami receptor (the T1R1-T1R3 heterodimer) that conferred sweet-sensing abilities in songbirds, a large evolutionary radiation containing nearly half of all living birds. We demonstrate sugar responses across species with diverse diets, uncover critical sites underlying carbohydrate detection, and identify the molecular basis of sensory convergence between songbirds and nectar-specialist hummingbirds. This early shift shaped the sensory biology of an entire radiation, emphasizing the role of contingency and providing an example of the genetic basis of convergence in avian evolution.

Compartmentalization of GPCR signalling controls unique cellular responses

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 562-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Ellisdon ◽  
Michelle L. Halls
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Simple Chain ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Major Drug ◽  
Very High

With >800 members, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of cell-surface signalling proteins, and their activation mediates diverse physiological processes. GPCRs are ubiquitously distributed across all cell types, involved in many diseases and are major drug targets. However, GPCR drug discovery is still characterized by very high attrition rates. New avenues for GPCR drug discovery may be provided by a recent shift away from the traditional view of signal transduction as a simple chain of events initiated from the plasma membrane. It is now apparent that GPCR signalling is restricted to highly organized compartments within the cell, and that GPCRs activate distinct signalling pathways once internalized. A high-resolution understanding of how compartmentalized signalling is controlled will probably provide unique opportunities to selectively and therapeutically target GPCRs.

scholarly journals Genetic basis of functional variability in adhesion G protein-coupled receptors

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Bernd Knierim ◽  
Juliane Röthe ◽  
Mehmet Volkan Çakir ◽  
Vera Lede ◽  
Caroline Wilde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
G Protein Coupled

scholarly journals Functional evolutionary history of the mouseFgf gene family

2007 ◽  
Vol 237 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuyuki Itoh ◽  
David M. Ornitz
Keyword(s):  
Gene Family ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals The Role of Prokineticin 2 in Oxidative Stress and in Neuropathological Processes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Lattanzi ◽  
Cinzia Severini ◽  
Daniela Maftei ◽  
Luciano Saso ◽  
Aldo Badiani
Keyword(s):  
Pain Perception ◽  
G Protein Coupled Receptors ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Prokineticin 2 ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Double Function ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
G Protein Coupled

The prokineticin (PK) family, prokineticin 1 and Bv8/prokineticin 2 (PROK2), initially discovered as regulators of gastrointestinal motility, interacts with two G protein-coupled receptors, PKR1 and PKR2, regulating important biological functions such as circadian rhythms, metabolism, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, muscle contractility, hematopoiesis, immune response, reproduction and pain perception. PROK2 and PK receptors, in particular PKR2, are widespread distributed in the central nervous system, in both neurons and glial cells. The PROK2 expression levels can be increased by a series of pathological insults, such as hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, beta amyloid and excitotoxic glutamate. This suggests that the PK system, participating in different cellular processes that cause neuronal death, can be a key mediator in neurological/neurodegenerative diseases. While many PROK2/PKRs effects in physiological processes have been documented, their role in neuropathological conditions is not fully clarified, since PROK2 can have a double function in the mechanisms underlying to neurodegeneration or neuroprotection. Here, we briefly outline the latest findings on the modulation of PROK2 and its cognate receptors following different pathological insults, providing information about their opposite neurotoxic and neuroprotective role in different pathological conditions.

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