scholarly journals Evolution of Nodal and Nodal-related genes and the putative composition of the heterodimer that triggers the Nodal pathway in vertebrates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C. Opazo ◽  
Shigehiro Kuraku ◽  
Kattina Zavala ◽  
Jessica Toloza-Villalobos ◽  
Federico G. Hoffmann
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Signaling Molecule ◽  
Number Of Genes ◽  
Differential Retention ◽  
History Of ◽  
Growth Factor Beta

AbstractNodal is a signaling molecule that belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily that plays key roles during the early stages of development of animals. Nodal forms an heterodimer with a GDF1/3 protein to activate the Nodal pathway. Vertebrates have a paralog of nodal in their genomes labeled Nodal related, but the evolutionary history of these genes is a matter of debate, mainly because of variable numbers of genes in the vertebrate genomes sequenced so far. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the evolutionary history of the Nodal and Nodal-related genes with an emphasis in tracking changes in the number of genes among vertebrates. Our results show the presence of two gene lineages (Nodal and Nodal-related) that can be traced back to the ancestor of jawed vertebrates. These lineages have undergone processes of differential retention and lineage-specific expansions. Our results imply that Nodal and Nodal-related duplicated at the latest in the ancestor of gnathostomes, and they still retain a significant level of functional redundancy. By comparing the evolution of the Nodal/Nodal-related with GDF1/3 gene family, it is possible to infer that there are at least four types of heterodimers that can trigger the Nodal pathway among vertebrates.

scholarly journals Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 3 Haplotypes in Sickle Cell Disease Are Associated with Lipid Profile and Clinical Manifestations

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Rayra P. Santiago ◽  
Camylla V. B. Figueiredo ◽  
Luciana M. Fiuza ◽  
Sètondji C. M. A. Yahouédéhou ◽  
Rodrigo M. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
History Of ◽  
Growth Factor Beta

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) present both chronic and acute inflammatory events. The TGF-β pathway is known to play a role in immune response, angiogenesis, inflammation, hematopoiesis, vascular inflammation, and cell proliferation. Polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor-beta receptor 3 (TGFBR3) gene have been linked to several inflammatory diseases. This study investigated associations between two TGFBR3 haplotypes and classical laboratory parameters, as well as clinical manifestations, in SCD. We found that individuals with the GG haplotype presented higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, total proteins, and globulin than individuals with non-GG haplotypes. In addition, the GG haplotype was associated with a previous history of pneumonia. Individuals with the CGG haplotype presented increased plateletcrit, TC, LDL-C levels, and non-HDL cholesterol. The CCG haplotype was also associated with a previous history of pneumonia. Our findings suggest that individuals with the GG and CGG haplotypes of TGFBR3 present important alterations in lipid profile.

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