scholarly journals Evolution of reproductive proteins from animals and plants

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel L Clark ◽  
Jan E Aagaard ◽  
Willie J Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Protein Evolution ◽  
Biological Process ◽  
Reproductive Proteins ◽  
Adaptive Diversification ◽  
Rapid Divergence ◽  
Fundamental Biological Process ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Selective Forces ◽  
Reproductive Protein

Sexual reproduction is a fundamental biological process common among eukaryotes. Because of the significance of reproductive proteins to fitness, the diversity and rapid divergence of proteins acting at many stages of reproduction is surprising and suggests a role of adaptive diversification in reproductive protein evolution. Here we review the evolution of reproductive proteins acting at different stages of reproduction among animals and plants, emphasizing common patterns. Although we are just beginning to understand these patterns, by making comparisons among stages of reproduction for diverse organisms we can begin to understand the selective forces driving reproductive protein diversity and the functional consequences of reproductive protein evolution.

scholarly journals Isoform-Specific Roles of Mutant p63 in Human Diseases

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 536
Author(s):  
Christian Osterburg ◽  
Susanne Osterburg ◽  
Huiqing Zhou ◽  
Caterina Missero ◽  
Volker Dötsch
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Ectodermal Dysplasia ◽  
Skin Development ◽  
Disease Mechanisms ◽  
Skin Fragility ◽  
Cleft Lip Palate ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Development And Differentiation

The p63 gene encodes a master regulator of epidermal commitment, development, and differentiation. Heterozygous mutations in the DNA binding domain cause Ectrodactyly, Ectodermal Dysplasia, characterized by limb deformation, cleft lip/palate, and ectodermal dysplasia while mutations in in the C-terminal domain of the α-isoform cause Ankyloblepharon-Ectodermal defects-Cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome, a life-threatening disorder characterized by skin fragility, severe, long-lasting skin erosions, and cleft lip/palate. The molecular disease mechanisms of these syndromes have recently become elucidated and have enhanced our understanding of the role of p63 in epidermal development. Here we review the molecular cause and functional consequences of these p63-mutations for skin development and discuss the consequences of p63 mutations for female fertility.

scholarly journals Prediction of Functional Consequences of Missense Mutations in ANO4 Gene

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2732
Author(s):  
Nadine Reichhart ◽  
Vladimir M. Milenkovic ◽  
Christian H. Wetzel ◽  
Olaf Strauß
Keyword(s):  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
And Function

The anoctamin (TMEM16) family of transmembrane protein consists of ten members in vertebrates, which act as Ca2+-dependent ion channels and/or Ca2+-dependent scramblases. ANO4 which is primarily expressed in the CNS and certain endocrine glands, has been associated with various neuronal disorders. Therefore, we focused our study on prioritizing missense mutations that are assumed to alter the structure and stability of ANO4 protein. We employed a wide array of evolution and structure based in silico prediction methods to identify potentially deleterious missense mutations in the ANO4 gene. Identified pathogenic mutations were then mapped to the modeled human ANO4 structure and the effects of missense mutations were studied on the atomic level using molecular dynamics simulations. Our data show that the G80A and A500T mutations significantly alter the stability of the mutant proteins, thus providing new perspective on the role of missense mutations in ANO4 gene. Results obtained in this study may help to identify disease associated mutations which affect ANO4 protein structure and function and might facilitate future functional characterization of ANO4.

scholarly journals Estimating the timing of multiple admixture pulses during local ancestry inference

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paloma Medina ◽  
Bryan Thornlow ◽  
Rasmus Nielsen ◽  
Russell Corbett-Detig
Keyword(s):  
Biological Process ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Populations ◽  
Fundamental Biological Process ◽  
Admixed Population ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Local Ancestry Inference ◽  
Admixture Event

ABSTRACTAdmixture, the mixing of genetically distinct populations, is increasingly recognized as a fundamental biological process. One major goal of admixture analyses is to estimate the timing of admixture events. Whereas most methods today can only detect the most recent admixture event, here we present coalescent theory and associated software that can be used to estimate the timing of multiple admixture events in an admixed population. We extensively validate this approach and evaluate the conditions under which it can succesfully distinguish one from two-pulse admixture models. We apply our approach to real and simulated data of Drosophila melanogaster. We find evidence of a single very recent pulse of cosmopolitan ancestry contributing to African populations as well as evidence for more ancient admixture among genetically differentiated populations in sub-Saharan Africa. These results suggest our method can quantify complex admixture histories involving genetic material introduced by multiple discrete admixture pulses. The new method facilitates the exploration of admixture and its contribution to adaptation, ecological divergence, and speciation.

scholarly journals Intricate Regulatory Mechanisms of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome and Its Role in Chromatin Regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana Bodrug ◽  
Kaeli A. Welsh ◽  
Megan Hinkle ◽  
Michael J. Emanuele ◽  
Nicholas G. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Biological Process ◽  
Conformational Dynamics ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Cycle Regulators ◽  
Chromatin Regulation ◽  
Anaphase Promoting Complex

The ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome system is vital to nearly every biological process in eukaryotes. Specifically, the conjugation of Ub to target proteins by Ub ligases, such as the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C), is paramount for cell cycle transitions as it leads to the irreversible destruction of cell cycle regulators by the proteasome. Through this activity, the RING Ub ligase APC/C governs mitosis, G1, and numerous aspects of neurobiology. Pioneering cryo-EM, biochemical reconstitution, and cell-based studies have illuminated many aspects of the conformational dynamics of this large, multi-subunit complex and the sophisticated regulation of APC/C function. More recent studies have revealed new mechanisms that selectively dictate APC/C activity and explore additional pathways that are controlled by APC/C-mediated ubiquitination, including an intimate relationship with chromatin regulation. These tasks go beyond the traditional cell cycle role historically ascribed to the APC/C. Here, we review these novel findings, examine the mechanistic implications of APC/C regulation, and discuss the role of the APC/C in previously unappreciated signaling pathways.

scholarly journals Ant association facilitates the evolution of diet breadth in a lycaenid butterfly

2010 ◽  
Vol 278 (1711) ◽  
pp. 1539-1547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Forister ◽  
Zachariah Gompert ◽  
Chris C. Nice ◽  
Glen W. Forister ◽  
James A. Fordyce
Keyword(s):  
Host Range ◽  
Diet Breadth ◽  
Demographic Model ◽  
Adaptive Diversification ◽  
Host Range Evolution ◽  
Mutualistic Interactions ◽  
Novel Host ◽  
Lycaenid Butterfly ◽  
Ant Association

The role of mutualistic interactions in adaptive diversification has not been thoroughly examined. Lycaenid butterflies provide excellent systems for exploring mutualistic interactions, as more than half of this family is known to use ants as a resource in interactions that range from parasitism to mutualism. We investigate the hypothesis that protection from predators offered to caterpillars by ants might facilitate host-range evolution. Specifically, experiments with the butterfly Lycaeides melissa investigated the role of ant association in the use of a novel host, alfalfa, Medicago sativa , which is a sub-optimal host for larval development. Survival on alfalfa is increased by the presence of ants, thus supporting the hypothesis that interaction with ants might be important for host-range evolution. Using a demographic model to explore ecological conditions associated with host-range expansion in L. melissa , we conclude that the presence of ants might be an essential component for populations persisting on the novel, sub-optimal host.

scholarly journals Cortical Spreading Depression—New Insights and Persistent Questions

Cephalalgia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 1115-1124 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Charles ◽  
KC Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Cortical Spreading Depression ◽  
Spreading Depression ◽  
Exact Role ◽  
Definitive Evidence ◽  
Meaningful Information ◽  
Human Disorders ◽  
Functional Consequences

Since its original extensive description by Leao in 1944, thousands of publications have characterized the phenomenon of cortical spreading depression (CSD). Despite the attention that CSD has received over more than six decades, however, many fundamental questions regarding its initiation, propagation, functional consequences, and relationship to migraine and other human disorders remain unanswered. Advances in genetics and cellular imaging have led to important insights into the basic mechanisms of CSD, with increasing attention focused on specific neuronal ion channels, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. In addition, there is growing recognition that astrocytes and the vasculature may play an active, rather than simply a passive or reactive role in CSD. Several recent descriptions of CSD in humans in the setting of brain injury provide definitive evidence that this phenomenon can occur and have important functional consequences in the human brain. Although the exact role of CSD in migraine has yet to be conclusively established, there is strong evidence that the investigation of CSD in animal models can provide meaningful information about migraine that can be translated into the clinical setting. This review will briefly address the extensive work that has been done on CSD over more than half a century, but focus primarily on more recent studies with a particular emphasis on relevance to migraine.

SEXUAL ACTIVITY: DEPENDENCE ON AGE, GENDER, VARIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND CEREBRAL STROKE

2021 ◽  
pp. 384-395
Author(s):  
В.С. Мякотных ◽  
Е.С. Остапчук ◽  
О.М. Хромцова
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Cerebral Stroke ◽  
Functional Defect ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Activity Dependence ◽  
Intimate Life

Целью представленного исследования явилось определение места и роли сексуальных расстройств у представителей разного пола и возраста в развитии фоновой для церебрального инсульта патологии и формировании клинической картины острого периода инсульта и его последствий. Детально рассматривали вопросы интимной жизни 111 пациентов (58 мужчин и 53 женщины) в предшествовавшие инсульту периоды и определяли возможные связи с клиническими особенностями острого периода инсульта. У 77 из этих 111 пациентов изучали динамику сексуальных нарушений в связи с особенностями функционального дефекта, сформировавшегося спустя 3-24 мес после перенесенного инсульта. Выявлено, что снижение сексуальной активности до инсульта имеет, наряду с возрастом, отчетливое значение в развитии фоновой для инсульта патологии и в формировании последствий инсульта. У лиц пожилого возраста наиболее тяжелые функциональные последствия инсульта сформировались в 8,3 % при наличии нормальных сексуальных отношений в предшествовавший инсульту период и в 27,6 % при отсутствии таковых. Негативная динамика сексуальной активности после перенесенного инсульта выявлена в 46,8 % наблюдений, в основном у представителей пожилого возраста, и связана у женщин с наличием и выраженностью неврологического дефицита, у мужчин с присутствием церебральных атрофических изменений. The purpose of this study was to determine the place and role of sexual disorders in representatives of different sexes and ages in the development of background for cerebral stroke pathology and the formation of the clinical picture of acute stroke period and its consequences. Questions of intimate life of 111 patients (58 men and 53 women) in the periods preceding a stroke were considered in detail and possible connections with clinical features of an acute period of in-Soult were defined. In 77 of these 111 patients, we studied the dynamics of sexual disorders in connection with the features of a functional defect that formed 3-24 months after a stroke. It was revealed that the decrease in sexual activity before the stroke has a distinct significance along with age in the development of background for insulin pathology and in the formation of the consequences of stroke. In the elderly, the most severe functional consequences of stroke were formed in 8,3 % in the presence of normal sexual relations in the period preceding the stroke and in 27,6 % in the absence of such. Negative dynamics of sexual activity after a stroke was detected in 46,8 % of cases, mainly among the elderly, and is associated in women with the presence and severity of neurological deficits, in men-with the presence of cerebral atrophic changes.

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