Polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-Associated Phenotypes in Mammals

Mucin-type O-glycosylation involves the attachment of glycans to an initial O-linked N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) on serine and threonine residues on proteins. This process in mammals is initiated and regulated by a large family of 20 UDP-GalNAc: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts) (EC 2.4.1.41). The enzymes are encoded by a large gene family (GALNTs). Two of these genes, GALNT2 and GALNT3, are known as monogenic autosomal recessive inherited disease genes with well characterized phenotypes, whereas a broad spectrum of phenotypes is associated with the remaining 18 genes. Until recently, the overlapping functionality of the 20 members of the enzyme family has hindered characterizing the specific biological roles of individual enzymes. However, recent evidence suggests that these enzymes do not have full functional redundancy and may serve specific purposes that are found in the different phenotypes described. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of GALNT and associated phenotypes.

Production of Polyclonal Antibodies against Pregnancy Associated Glycoprotein in Cattle

Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are considered to be a large gene family in the trophoblasts of ruminants. PAGs determination precisely, PAG-1 in serum has been as the solid ground for pregnancy diagnosis in cow. Unluckily the PAG-1 and the antigenically related PAGs show a long half-life in serum less than 8 days and can be assessed 80 to 100 das postpartum, thereafter giving false results in cows bred within 60 days of calving. This study involves using novel polyclonal antibodies after immunizing rabbits and purification of the produced antibodies. The cattle are pregnant when the PAG hormone level is measured in a high level in a serum sample from the animal. It could give a precise method of detecting pregnancy at the early with few false positive results.

Class-3 Semaphorins and Their Receptors: Potent Multifunctional Modulators of Tumor Progression

Semaphorins are the products of a large gene family containing 28 genes of which 21 are found in vertebrates. Class-3 semaphorins constitute a subfamily of seven vertebrate semaphorins which differ from the other vertebrate semaphorins in that they are the only secreted semaphorins and are distinguished from other semaphorins by the presence of a basic domain at their C termini. Class-3 semaphorins were initially characterized as axon guidance factors, but have subsequently been found to regulate immune responses, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and a variety of additional physiological and developmental functions. Most class-3 semaphorins transduce their signals by binding to receptors belonging to the neuropilin family which subsequently associate with receptors of the plexin family to form functional class-3 semaphorin receptors. Recent evidence suggests that class-3 semaphorins also fulfill important regulatory roles in multiple forms of cancer. Several class-3 semaphorins function as endogenous inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis. Others were found to inhibit tumor metastasis by inhibition of tumor lymphangiogenesis, by direct effects on the behavior of tumor cells, or by modulation of immune responses. Notably, some semaphorins such as sema3C and sema3E have also been found to potentiate tumor progression using various mechanisms. This review focuses on the roles of the different class-3 semaphorins in tumor progression.

A large gene family in fission yeast encodes spore killers that subvert Mendel’s law

Spore killers in fungi are selfish genetic elements that distort Mendelian segregation in their favor. It remains unclear how many species harbor them and how diverse their mechanisms are. Here, we discover two spore killers from a natural isolate of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Both killers belong to the previously uncharacterized wtf gene family with 25 members in the reference genome. These two killers act in strain-background-independent and genome-location-independent manners to perturb the maturation of spores not inheriting them. Spores carrying one killer are protected from its killing effect but not that of the other killer. The killing and protecting activities can be uncoupled by mutation. The numbers and sequences of wtf genes vary considerably between S. pombe isolates, indicating rapid divergence. We propose that wtf genes contribute to the extensive intraspecific reproductive isolation in S. pombe, and represent ideal models for understanding how segregation-distorting elements act and evolve.

Analysis of MBOAT family reveals the diversity of MBOAT1 amplification in Solanaceae

Genes containing an MBOAT (membrane-bound O-acyltransferase) domain form a large gene family in plants whose members play important roles in plant triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Among these genes, most belong to the MBOAT1 subfamily. Here we describe the identification and analysis of MBOAT genes in Solanaceae. Through data mining of four sequenced genomes of Solanaceae, we identified 52 MBOAT members. The MBOAT genes fell into four distinct groups, with MBOAT1 subfamily genes accounting for about half of the total number of genes. Several MBOAT1 genes were present in the genomes of hot pepper, tomato and potato, whereas only one was identified in Nicotiana benthamiana. Most of tomato MBOAT1 genes were localized in chromosomes in the form of clusters, which is the same in potato, indicating that the population of MBOAT1 members was mainly the result of tandem duplication. Some tomato MBOAT1 genes were not expressed, and all MBOAT1 genes were devoid of introns and were significantly shorter than other MBOAT members were. While average pairwise Ka/Ks values were significantly lower within the MBOAT1 subfamily, some MBOAT1 genes showed signs of positive selection.