201
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Pasquali CC, Islam Z, Adamoski D, Ferreira IM, Righeto RD, Bettini J, Portugal RV, Yue WWY, Gonzalez A, Dias SMG, Ambrosio ALB. The origin and evolution of human glutaminases and their atypical C-terminal ankyrin repeats. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:11572-11585. [PMID: 28526749 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.787291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
On the basis of tissue-specific enzyme activity and inhibition by catalytic products, Hans Krebs first demonstrated the existence of multiple glutaminases in mammals. Currently, two human genes are known to encode at least four glutaminase isoforms. However, the phylogeny of these medically relevant enzymes remains unclear, prompting us to investigate their origin and evolution. Using prokaryotic and eukaryotic glutaminase sequences, we built a phylogenetic tree whose topology suggested that the multidomain architecture was inherited from bacterial ancestors, probably simultaneously with the hosting of the proto-mitochondrion endosymbiont. We propose an evolutionary model wherein the appearance of the most active enzyme isoform, glutaminase C (GAC), which is expressed in many cancers, was a late retrotransposition event that occurred in fishes from the Chondrichthyes class. The ankyrin (ANK) repeats in the glutaminases were acquired early in their evolution. To obtain information on ANK folding, we solved two high-resolution structures of the ANK repeat-containing C termini of both kidney-type glutaminase (KGA) and GLS2 isoforms (glutaminase B and liver-type glutaminase). We found that the glutaminase ANK repeats form unique intramolecular contacts through two highly conserved motifs; curiously, this arrangement occludes a region usually involved in ANK-mediated protein-protein interactions. We also solved the crystal structure of full-length KGA and present a small-angle X-ray scattering model for full-length GLS2. These structures explain these proteins' compromised ability to assemble into catalytically active supra-tetrameric filaments, as previously shown for GAC. Collectively, these results provide information about glutaminases that may aid in the design of isoform-specific glutaminase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Cristina Pasquali
- From the Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Zeyaul Islam
- From the Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Douglas Adamoski
- From the Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Igor Monteze Ferreira
- From the Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.,the Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo Diogo Righeto
- the Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil.,the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil, and
| | - Jefferson Bettini
- the Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Villares Portugal
- the Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Wyatt Wai-Yin Yue
- the Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Gonzalez
- the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Sandra Martha Gomes Dias
- From the Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil,
| | - Andre Luis Berteli Ambrosio
- From the Laboratório Nacional de Biociências, Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil,
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202
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Asymmetrically reduced expression of hand1 homeologs involving a single nucleotide substitution in a cis -regulatory element. Dev Biol 2017; 425:152-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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203
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Gerdol M, Venier P, Edomi P, Pallavicini A. Diversity and evolution of TIR-domain-containing proteins in bivalves and Metazoa: New insights from comparative genomics. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 70:145-164. [PMID: 28109746 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain has a fundamental role in the innate defence response of plants, vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Mostly found in the cytosolic side of membrane-bound receptor proteins, it mediates the intracellular signalling upon pathogen recognition via heterotypic interactions. Although a number of TIR-domain-containing (TIR-DC) proteins have been characterized in vertebrates, their evolutionary relationships and functional role in protostomes are still largely unknown. Due to the high abundance and diversity of TIR-DC proteins in bivalve molluscs, we investigated this class of marine invertebrates as a case study. The analysis of the available genomic and transcriptomic data allowed the identification of over 400 full-length sequences and their classification in protein families based on sequence homology and domain organization. In addition to TLRs and MyD88 adaptors, bivalves possess a surprisingly large repertoire of intracellular TIR-DC proteins, which are conserved across a broad range of metazoan taxa. Overall, we report the expansion and diversification of TIR-DC proteins in several invertebrate lineages and the identification of many novel protein families possibly involved in both immune-related signalling and embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gerdol
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Paola Venier
- University of Padova, Department of Biology, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Paolo Edomi
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- University of Trieste, Department of Life Sciences, Via Licio Giorgieri 5, 34127 Trieste, Italy.
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204
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Spina EJ, Guzman E, Zhou H, Kosik KS, Smith WC. A microRNA-mRNA expression network during oral siphon regeneration in Ciona. Development 2017; 144:1787-1797. [PMID: 28432214 DOI: 10.1242/dev.144097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Here we present a parallel study of mRNA and microRNA expression during oral siphon (OS) regeneration in Ciona robusta, and the derived network of their interactions. In the process of identifying 248 mRNAs and 15 microRNAs as differentially expressed, we also identified 57 novel microRNAs, several of which are among the most highly differentially expressed. Analysis of functional categories identified enriched transcripts related to stress responses and apoptosis at the wound healing stage, signaling pathways including Wnt and TGFβ during early regrowth, and negative regulation of extracellular proteases in late stage regeneration. Consistent with the expression results, we found that inhibition of TGFβ signaling blocked OS regeneration. A correlation network was subsequently inferred for all predicted microRNA-mRNA target pairs expressed during regeneration. Network-based clustering associated transcripts into 22 non-overlapping groups, the functional analysis of which showed enrichment of stress response, signaling pathway and extracellular protease categories that could be related to specific microRNAs. Predicted targets of the miR-9 cluster suggest a role in regulating differentiation and the proliferative state of neural progenitors through regulation of the cytoskeleton and cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah J Spina
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Elmer Guzman
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Hongjun Zhou
- Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.,Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - William C Smith
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA .,Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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205
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Wang K, Dantec C, Lemaire P, Onuma TA, Nishida H. Genome-wide survey of miRNAs and their evolutionary history in the ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:314. [PMID: 28427349 PMCID: PMC5399378 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3707-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND miRNAs play essential roles in the modulation of cellular functions via degradation and/or translation attenuation of target mRNAs. They have been surveyed in a single ascidian genus, Ciona. Recently, an annotated draft genome sequence for a distantly related ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi, has become available, but miRNAs in H. roretzi have not been previously studied. RESULTS We report the prediction of 319 candidate H. roretzi miRNAs, obtained through three complementary methods. Experimental validation suggests that more than half of these candidate miRNAs are expressed during embryogenesis. The majority of predicted H. roretzi miRNAs appear specific to ascidians or tunicates, and only 32 candidates, belonging to 25 families, are widely conserved across metazoans. CONCLUSION Our study presents a comprehensive identification of candidate H. roretzi miRNAs. This resource will facilitate the study of the mechanisms for miRNA-controlled gene regulatory networks during ascidian development. Further, our analysis suggests that the majority of Halocynthia miRNAs are specific to ascidian or tunicates, with only a small number of widely conserved miRNAs. This result is consistent with the general notion that animal miRNAs are less conserved between taxa than plant ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan. .,Present address: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, People's Republic of China.
| | - Christelle Dantec
- Centre de Recherches de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier (CRBM), UMR5237, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, F-34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Patrick Lemaire
- Centre de Recherches de Biologie cellulaire de Montpellier (CRBM), UMR5237, CNRS-Université de Montpellier, 1919 route de Mende, F-34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Takeshi A Onuma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nishida
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan
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206
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Albuixech-Crespo B, López-Blanch L, Burguera D, Maeso I, Sánchez-Arrones L, Moreno-Bravo JA, Somorjai I, Pascual-Anaya J, Puelles E, Bovolenta P, Garcia-Fernàndez J, Puelles L, Irimia M, Ferran JL. Molecular regionalization of the developing amphioxus neural tube challenges major partitions of the vertebrate brain. PLoS Biol 2017; 15:e2001573. [PMID: 28422959 PMCID: PMC5396861 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2001573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
All vertebrate brains develop following a common Bauplan defined by anteroposterior (AP) and dorsoventral (DV) subdivisions, characterized by largely conserved differential expression of gene markers. However, it is still unclear how this Bauplan originated during evolution. We studied the relative expression of 48 genes with key roles in vertebrate neural patterning in a representative amphioxus embryonic stage. Unlike nonchordates, amphioxus develops its central nervous system (CNS) from a neural plate that is homologous to that of vertebrates, allowing direct topological comparisons. The resulting genoarchitectonic model revealed that the amphioxus incipient neural tube is unexpectedly complex, consisting of several AP and DV molecular partitions. Strikingly, comparison with vertebrates indicates that the vertebrate thalamus, pretectum, and midbrain domains jointly correspond to a single amphioxus region, which we termed Di-Mesencephalic primordium (DiMes). This suggests that these domains have a common developmental and evolutionary origin, as supported by functional experiments manipulating secondary organizers in zebrafish and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Albuixech-Crespo
- Department of Genetics, School of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura López-Blanch
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Demian Burguera
- Department of Genetics, School of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Maeso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CSIC/UPO/JA), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luisa Sánchez-Arrones
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa CSIC-UAM and CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ildiko Somorjai
- The Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Eduardo Puelles
- Instituto de Neurociencias, UMH-CSIC, Campus de San Juan, Sant Joan d'Alacant, Alicante, Spain
| | - Paola Bovolenta
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa CSIC-UAM and CIBERER, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Garcia-Fernàndez
- Department of Genetics, School of Biology, and Institut de Biomedicina (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Puelles
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Ferran
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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207
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Inoue J, Yasuoka Y, Takahashi H, Satoh N. The chordate ancestor possessed a single copy of the Brachyury gene for notochord acquisition. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2017; 3:4. [PMID: 28344820 PMCID: PMC5363035 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-017-0064-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The T-box family transcription-factor gene, Brachyury, has two expression domains with discrete functions during animal embryogenesis. The primary domain, associated with the blastopore, is shared by most metazoans, while the secondary domain, involved in the notochord, is specific to chordates. In most animals, Brachyury is present in a single copy, but in cephalochordates, the most basal of the chordates, the gene is present in two copies, suggesting allotment of the two domains to each of the duplicates. RESULTS In order to clarify whether Brachyury duplication occurred in the common ancestor of chordates after which one of duplicates was lost in the urochordate and vertebrate lineages, we estimated phylogenetic relationships of Brachyury genes and examined the synteny of a Brachyury-containing genomic region of deuterostomes with decoded genomes. The monophyletic origin of tandemly arranged Brachyury genes of cephalochordates indicates that the tandem duplication occurred in the cephalochordate lineage, but not in the chordate ancestor. CONCLUSIONS Our results thus suggest that, in the common ancestor of chordates, a single copy of Brachyury acquired two expression domains and that the duplication was not involved in the acquisition of the notochord. However, in relation to regulatory mechanisms, both possibilities-namely a single copy with two domains and two copies with different domains-should be considered in future studies of Brachyury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Inoue
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
| | - Yuuri Yasuoka
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
| | - Hiroki Takahashi
- Developmental Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Nishigonaka 38, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585 Japan
| | - Noriyuki Satoh
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa, 904-0495 Japan
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208
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Nurk S, Meleshko D, Korobeynikov A, Pevzner PA. metaSPAdes: a new versatile metagenomic assembler. Genome Res 2017; 27:824-834. [PMID: 28298430 PMCID: PMC5411777 DOI: 10.1101/gr.213959.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2474] [Impact Index Per Article: 309.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
While metagenomics has emerged as a technology of choice for analyzing bacterial populations, the assembly of metagenomic data remains challenging, thus stifling biological discoveries. Moreover, recent studies revealed that complex bacterial populations may be composed from dozens of related strains, thus further amplifying the challenge of metagenomic assembly. metaSPAdes addresses various challenges of metagenomic assembly by capitalizing on computational ideas that proved to be useful in assemblies of single cells and highly polymorphic diploid genomes. We benchmark metaSPAdes against other state-of-the-art metagenome assemblers and demonstrate that it results in high-quality assemblies across diverse data sets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Nurk
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, Institute for Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia 199004
| | - Dmitry Meleshko
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, Institute for Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia 199004
| | - Anton Korobeynikov
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, Institute for Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia 199004.,Department of Statistical Modelling, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia 198515
| | - Pavel A Pevzner
- Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology, Institute for Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia 199004.,Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0404, USA
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209
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Epigenetic divergence of key genes associated with water temperature and salinity in a highly invasive model ascidian. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1409-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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210
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Conservation of the Keap1-Nrf2 System: An Evolutionary Journey through Stressful Space and Time. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22030436. [PMID: 28282941 PMCID: PMC6155405 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22030436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Keap1-Nrf2 system is an evolutionarily conserved defense mechanism against oxidative and xenobiotic stress. Its regulatory mechanisms, e.g., stress-sensing mechanism, proteasome-based regulation of Nrf2 activity and selection of target genes, have been elucidated mainly in mammals. In addition, emerging model animals, such as zebrafish, fruit fly and Caenorhabditis elegans, have been shown to have similar anti-stress systems to mammals, suggesting that analogous defense systems are widely conserved throughout the animal kingdom. Experimental evidence in lower animals provides important information beyond mere laboratory-confined utility, such as regarding how these systems transformed during evolution, which may help characterize the mammalian system in greater detail. Recent advances in genome projects of both model and non-model animals have provided a great deal of useful information toward this end. We herein review the research on Keap1-Nrf2 and its analogous systems in both mammals and lower model animals. In addition, by comparing the amino acid sequences of Nrf2 and Keap1 proteins from various species, we can deduce the evolutionary history of the anti-stress system. This combinatorial approach using both experimental and genetic data will suggest perspectives of approach for researchers studying the stress response.
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211
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Lin Y, Chen Y, Yi C, Fong JJ, Kim W, Rius M, Zhan A. Genetic signatures of natural selection in a model invasive ascidian. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44080. [PMID: 28266616 PMCID: PMC5339779 DOI: 10.1038/srep44080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive species represent promising models to study species’ responses to rapidly changing environments. Although local adaptation frequently occurs during contemporary range expansion, the associated genetic signatures at both population and genomic levels remain largely unknown. Here, we use genome-wide gene-associated microsatellites to investigate genetic signatures of natural selection in a model invasive ascidian, Ciona robusta. Population genetic analyses of 150 individuals sampled in Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain showed significant genetic differentiation among populations. Based on outlier tests, we found high incidence of signatures of directional selection at 19 loci. Hitchhiking mapping analyses identified 12 directional selective sweep regions, and all selective sweep windows on chromosomes were narrow (~8.9 kb). Further analyses indentified 132 candidate genes under selection. When we compared our genetic data and six crucial environmental variables, 16 putatively selected loci showed significant correlation with these environmental variables. This suggests that the local environmental conditions have left significant signatures of selection at both population and genomic levels. Finally, we identified “plastic” genomic regions and genes that are promising regions to investigate evolutionary responses to rapid environmental change in C. robusta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Lin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yiyong Chen
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Changho Yi
- Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Management Team, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, 101-75 Jangsan-ro, Janghang-eup, Seocheon-gun Chungcheongnam-do 33662, Korea
| | - Jonathan J Fong
- Science Unit, Lingnan University, 8 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Won Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Marc Rius
- Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom.,Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aibin Zhan
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
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212
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Hahn ME, Karchner SI, Merson RR. Diversity as Opportunity: Insights from 600 Million Years of AHR Evolution. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2017; 2:58-71. [PMID: 28286876 DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) was for many years of interest only to pharmacologists and toxicologists. However, this protein has fundamental roles in biology that are being revealed through studies in diverse animal species. The AHR is an ancient protein. AHR homologs exist in most major groups of modern bilaterian animals, including deuterostomes (chordates, hemichordates, echinoderms) and the two major clades of protostome invertebrates [ecdysozoans (e.g. arthropods and nematodes) and lophotrochozoans (e.g. molluscs and annelids)]. AHR homologs also have been identified in cnidarians such as the sea anemone Nematostella and in the genome of Trichoplax, a placozoan. Bilaterians, cnidarians, and placozoans form the clade Eumetazoa, whose last common ancestor lived approximately 600 million years ago (MYA). The presence of AHR homologs in modern representatives of all these groups indicates that the original eumetazoan animal possessed an AHR homolog. Studies in invertebrates and vertebrates reveal parallel functions of AHR in the development and function of sensory neural systems, suggesting that these may be ancestral roles. Vertebrate animals are characterized by the expansion and diversification of AHRs, via gene and genome duplications, from the ancestral protoAHR into at least five classes of AHR-like proteins: AHR, AHR1, AHR2, AHR3, and AHRR. The evolution of multiple AHRs in vertebrates coincided with the acquisition of high-affinity binding of halogenated and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and the emergence of adaptive functions involving regulation of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and roles in adaptive immunity. The existence of multiple AHRs may have facilitated subfunction partitioning and specialization of specific AHR types in some taxa. Additional research in diverse model and non-model species will continue to enrich our understanding of AHR and its pleiotropic roles in biology and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MS-32, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Sibel I Karchner
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MS-32, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Rebeka R Merson
- Biology Department, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue, 251 Fogarty Life Sciences, Providence, RI 02908
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213
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Salvador-Martínez I, Salazar-Ciudad I. How complexity increases in development: An analysis of the spatial-temporal dynamics of Gene expression in Ciona intestinalis. Mech Dev 2017; 144:113-124. [PMID: 28189795 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The increase in complexity in an embryo over developmental time is perhaps one of the most intuitive processes of animal development. It is also intuitive that the embryo becomes progressively compartmentalized over time and space. In spite of this intuitiveness, there are no systematic attempts to quantify how this occurs. Here, we present a quantitative analysis of the compartmentalization and spatial complexity of Ciona intestinalis over developmental time by analyzing thousands of gene expression spatial patterns from the ANISEED database. We measure compartmentalization in two ways: as the relative volume of expression of genes and as the disparity in gene expression between body parts. We also use a measure of the curvature of each gene expression pattern in 3D space. These measures show a similar increase over time, with the most dramatic change occurring from the 112-cell stage to the early tailbud stage. Combined, these measures point to a global pattern of increase in complexity in the Ciona embryo. Finally, we cluster the different regions of the embryo depending on their gene expression similarity, within and between stages. Results from this clustering analysis, which partially correspond to known fate maps, provide a global quantitative overview about differentiation and compartmentalization between body parts at each developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irepan Salvador-Martínez
- Evo-devo Helsinki community, Center of Excellence in Experimental Computational Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Isaac Salazar-Ciudad
- Evo-devo Helsinki community, Center of Excellence in Experimental Computational Developmental Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Genomics, Bioinformatics and Evolution, Departament de Genètica i Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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214
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Zafrir Z, Tuller T. Unsupervised detection of regulatory gene expression information in different genomic regions enables gene expression ranking. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:77. [PMID: 28143396 PMCID: PMC5286865 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1497-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The regulation of all gene expression steps (e.g., Transcription, RNA processing, Translation, and mRNA Degradation) is known to be primarily encoded in different parts of genes and in genomic regions in proximity to genes (e.g., promoters, untranslated regions, coding regions, introns, etc.). However, the entire gene expression codes and the genomic regions where they are encoded are still unknown. Results Here, we employ an unsupervised approach to estimate the concentration of gene expression codes in different non-coding parts of genes and transcripts, such as introns and untranslated regions, focusing on three model organisms (Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe). Our analyses support the conjecture that regions adjacent to the beginning and end of ORFs and the beginning and end of introns tend to include higher concentration of gene expression information relatively to regions further away. In addition, we report the exact regions with elevated concentration of gene expression codes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the concentration of these codes in different genetic regions is correlated with the expression levels of the corresponding genes, and with splicing efficiency measurements and meiotic stage gene expression measurements in S. cerevisiae. Conclusion We suggest that these discoveries improve our understanding of gene expression regulation and evolution; they can also be used for developing improved models of genome/gene evolution and for engineering gene expression in various biotechnological and synthetic biology applications. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-017-1497-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Zafrir
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Tamir Tuller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel. .,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
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215
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Carmona LM, Schatz DG. New insights into the evolutionary origins of the recombination-activating gene proteins and V(D)J recombination. FEBS J 2017; 284:1590-1605. [PMID: 27973733 PMCID: PMC5459667 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The adaptive immune system of jawed vertebrates relies on V(D)J recombination as one of the main processes to generate the diverse array of receptors necessary for the recognition of a wide range of pathogens. The DNA cleavage reaction necessary for the assembly of the antigen receptor genes from an array of potential gene segments is mediated by the recombination-activating gene proteins RAG1 and RAG2. The RAG proteins have been proposed to originate from a transposable element (TE) as they share mechanistic and structural similarities with several families of transposases and are themselves capable of mediating transposition. A number of RAG-like proteins and TEs with sequence similarity to RAG1 and RAG2 have been identified, but only recently has their function begun to be characterized, revealing mechanistic links to the vertebrate RAGs. Of particular significance is the discovery of ProtoRAG, a transposon superfamily found in the genome of the basal chordate amphioxus. ProtoRAG has many of the sequence and mechanistic features predicted for the ancestral RAG transposon and is likely to be an evolutionary relative of RAG1 and RAG2. In addition, early observations suggesting that RAG1 is able to mediate V(D)J recombination in the absence of RAG2 have been confirmed, implying independent evolutionary origins for the two RAG genes. Here, recent progress in identifying and characterizing RAG-like proteins and the TEs that encode them is summarized and a refined model for the evolution of V(D)J recombination and the RAG proteins is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Marcela Carmona
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David G Schatz
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New Haven, CT, USA
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216
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Kawada T, Shiraishi A, Aoyama M, Satake H. Transcriptomes of the Premature and Mature Ovaries of an Ascidian, Ciona intestinalis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:88. [PMID: 28484427 PMCID: PMC5402223 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Kawada
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Shiraishi
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masato Aoyama
- Faculty of Bioscience, Nara Woman’s University, Nara, Japan
| | - Honoo Satake
- Bioorganic Research Institute, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
- *Correspondence: Honoo Satake,
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217
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Yagi H. Development and Application of Glycosylation-Profiling Techniques for Functional Glycomics in the Nervous System. TRENDS GLYCOSCI GLYC 2017. [DOI: 10.4052/tigg.1614.2e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Yagi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
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218
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Yagi H. Development and Application of Glycosylation-Profiling Techniques for Functional Glycomics in the Nervous System. TRENDS GLYCOSCI GLYC 2017. [DOI: 10.4052/tigg.1614.2j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hirokazu Yagi
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University
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219
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Kojima H, Shinohara R, Itonori S, Ito M. Characterization of a Novel Rhamnose-containing Acidic Glycosphingolipid from the Ascidian Halocynthia aurantium. J Oleo Sci 2017; 66:285-295. [DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess16150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hisao Kojima
- Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University
| | - Ryota Shinohara
- Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University
| | - Saki Itonori
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Education, Shiga University
| | - Masahiro Ito
- Department of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University
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220
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Kusakabe TG. Identifying Vertebrate Brain Prototypes in Deuterostomes. DIVERSITY AND COMMONALITY IN ANIMALS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-56469-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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221
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Abstract
The ascidian Ciona intestinalis is an important model animal for studying developmental mechanisms for constructing the chordate body. Although molecular and embryological techniques for manipulating Ciona genes were developed a long time ago, recent achievements of genome editing in this animal have innovated functional analyses of genes in Ciona. Particularly, knockout of genes in the G0 generation coupled with tissue-specific expression of TALENs enables us to rapidly address gene functions that were difficult using previous methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Sasakura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1, Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025, Japan.
| | - Keita Yoshida
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1, Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025, Japan
| | - Nicholas Treen
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 5-10-1, Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025, Japan
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222
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Sasakura Y, Ogura Y, Treen N, Yokomori R, Park SJ, Nakai K, Saiga H, Sakuma T, Yamamoto T, Fujiwara S, Yoshida K. Transcriptional regulation of a horizontally transferred gene from bacterium to chordate. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:20161712. [PMID: 28003446 PMCID: PMC5204163 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The horizontal transfer of genes between distantly related organisms is undoubtedly a major factor in the evolution of novel traits. Because genes are functionless without expression, horizontally transferred genes must acquire appropriate transcriptional regulations in their recipient organisms, although the evolutionary mechanism is not known well. The defining characteristic of tunicates is the presence of a cellulose containing tunic covering the adult and larval body surface. Cellulose synthase was acquired by horizontal gene transfer from Actinobacteria. We found that acquisition of the binding site of AP-2 transcription factor was essential for tunicate cellulose synthase to gain epidermal-specific expression. Actinobacteria have very GC-rich genomes, regions of which are capable of inducing specific expression in the tunicate epidermis as the AP-2 binds to a GC-rich region. Therefore, the actinobacterial cellulose synthase could have been potentiated to evolve its new function in the ancestor of tunicates with a higher probability than the evolution depending solely on a spontaneous event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Sasakura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan
| | - Yosuke Ogura
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan
| | - Nicholas Treen
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan
| | - Rui Yokomori
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Sung-Joon Park
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakai
- The Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Saiga
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minamiohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Sakuma
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Shigeki Fujiwara
- Department of Applied Science, Kochi University, 2-5-1, Akebono-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
| | - Keita Yoshida
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan
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223
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Kollitz EM, Zhang G, Hawkins MB, Whitfield GK, Reif DM, Kullman SW. Evolutionary and Functional Diversification of the Vitamin D Receptor-Lithocholic Acid Partnership. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168278. [PMID: 27942020 PMCID: PMC5152921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution, molecular behavior, and physiological function of nuclear receptors are of particular interest given their diverse roles in regulating essential biological processes. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is well known for its canonical roles in calcium homeostasis and skeletal maintenance. Additionally, VDR has received an increased amount of attention due to the discovery of numerous non-calcemic functions, including the detoxification of lithocholic acid. Lithocholic acid is a toxic metabolite of chenodeoxycholic acid, a primary bile acid. The partnership between the VDR and lithocholic acid has been hypothesized to be a recent adaptation that evolved to mediate the detoxification and elimination of lithocholic acid from the gut. This partnership is speculated to be limited to higher vertebrates (birds and mammals), as lower vertebrates do not synthesize the parent compound of lithocholic acid. However, the molecular functions associated with the observed insensitivity of basal VDRs to lithocholic acid have not been explored. Here we characterize canonical nuclear receptor functions of VDRs from select species representing key nodes in vertebrate evolution and span a range of bile salt phenotypes. Competitive ligand binding assays revealed that the receptor's affinity for lithocholic acid is highly conserved across species, suggesting that lithocholic acid affinity is an ancient and non-adaptive trait. However, transient transactivation assays revealed that lithocholic acid-mediated VDR activation might have evolved more recently, as the non-mammalian receptors did not respond to lithocholic acid unless exogenous coactivator proteins were co-expressed. Subsequent functional assays indicated that differential lithocholic acid-mediated receptor activation is potentially driven by differential protein-protein interactions between VDR and nuclear receptor coregulator proteins. We hypothesize that the vitamin D receptor-lithocholic acid partnership evolved as a by-product of natural selection on the ligand-receptor partnership between the vitamin D receptor and the native VDR ligand: 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Kollitz
- Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Guozhu Zhang
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mary Beth Hawkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - G. Kerr Whitfield
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America
| | - David M. Reif
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Seth W. Kullman
- Toxicology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
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224
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Ryan K, Lu Z, Meinertzhagen IA. The CNS connectome of a tadpole larva of Ciona intestinalis (L.) highlights sidedness in the brain of a chordate sibling. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27921996 PMCID: PMC5140270 DOI: 10.7554/elife.16962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Left-right asymmetries in brains are usually minor or cryptic. We report brain asymmetries in the tiny, dorsal tubular nervous system of the ascidian tadpole larva, Ciona intestinalis. Chordate in body plan and development, the larva provides an outstanding example of brain asymmetry. Although early neural development is well studied, detailed cellular organization of the swimming larva's CNS remains unreported. Using serial-section EM we document the synaptic connectome of the larva's 177 CNS neurons. These formed 6618 synapses including 1772 neuromuscular junctions, augmented by 1206 gap junctions. Neurons are unipolar with at most a single dendrite, and few synapses. Some synapses are unpolarised, others form reciprocal or serial motifs; 922 were polyadic. Axo-axonal synapses predominate. Most neurons have ciliary organelles, and many features lack structural specialization. Despite equal cell numbers on both sides, neuron identities and pathways differ left/right. Brain vesicle asymmetries include a right ocellus and left coronet cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrianne Ryan
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Zhiyuan Lu
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Ian A Meinertzhagen
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.,Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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225
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PG BL, AE M, RJ O, PH W, A B. Transcriptomic profiles of spring and summer populations of the Southern Ocean salp, Salpa thompsoni, in the Western Antarctic Peninsula region. Polar Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-016-2051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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226
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Mayorova TD, Tian S, Cai W, Semmens DC, Odekunle EA, Zandawala M, Badi Y, Rowe ML, Egertová M, Elphick MR. Localization of Neuropeptide Gene Expression in Larvae of an Echinoderm, the Starfish Asterias rubens. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:553. [PMID: 27990106 PMCID: PMC5130983 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides are an ancient class of neuronal signaling molecules that regulate a variety of physiological and behavioral processes in animals. The life cycle of many animals includes a larval stage(s) that precedes metamorphic transition to a reproductively active adult stage but, with the exception of Drosophila melanogaster and other insects, research on neuropeptide signaling has hitherto largely focused on adult animals. However, recent advances in genome/transcriptome sequencing have facilitated investigation of neuropeptide expression/function in the larvae of protostomian (e.g., the annelid Platynereis dumerilii) and deuterostomian (e.g., the urochordate Ciona intestinalis) invertebrates. Accordingly, here we report the first multi-gene investigation of larval neuropeptide precursor expression in a species belonging to the phylum Echinodermata-the starfish Asterias rubens. Whole-mount mRNA in situ hybridization was used to visualize in bipinnaria and brachiolaria stage larvae the expression of eight neuropeptide precursors: L-type SALMFamide (S1), F-type SALMFamide (S2), vasopressin/oxytocin-type, NGFFYamide, thyrotropin-releasing hormone-type, gonadotropin-releasing hormone-type, calcitonin-type and corticotropin-releasing hormone-type. Expression of only three of the precursors (S1, S2, NGFFYamide) was observed in bipinnaria larvae but by the brachiolaria stage expression of all eight precursors was detected. An evolutionarily conserved feature of larval nervous systems is the apical organ and in starfish larvae this comprises the bilaterally symmetrical lateral ganglia, but only the S1 and S2 precursors were found to be expressed in these ganglia. A prominent feature of brachiolaria larvae is the attachment complex, comprising the brachia and adhesive disk, which mediates larval attachment to a substratum prior to metamorphosis. Interestingly, all of the neuropeptide precursors examined here are expressed in the attachment complex, with distinctive patterns of expression suggesting potential roles for neuropeptides in the attachment process. Lastly, expression of several neuropeptide precursors is associated with ciliary bands, suggesting potential roles for the neuropeptides derived from these precursors in control of larval locomotion and/or feeding. In conclusion, our findings provide novel perspectives on the evolution and development of neuropeptide signaling systems and neuroanatomical insights into neuropeptide function in echinoderm larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana D Mayorova
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of LondonLondon, UK; Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of SciencesMoscow, Russia
| | - Shi Tian
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Weigang Cai
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Dean C Semmens
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Esther A Odekunle
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Meet Zandawala
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Yusef Badi
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Matthew L Rowe
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Michaela Egertová
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
| | - Maurice R Elphick
- Department of Organismal Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London London, UK
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227
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Pogson GH. Studying the genetic basis of speciation in high gene flow marine invertebrates. Curr Zool 2016; 62:643-653. [PMID: 29491951 PMCID: PMC5804258 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of genes responsible for reproductive incompatibilities between species (barrier loci) exhibit the signals of positive selection. However, the possibility that genes experiencing positive selection diverge early in speciation and commonly cause reproductive incompatibilities has not been systematically investigated on a genome-wide scale. Here, I outline a research program for studying the genetic basis of speciation in broadcast spawning marine invertebrates that uses a priori genome-wide information on a large, unbiased sample of genes tested for positive selection. A targeted sequence capture approach is proposed that scores single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in widely separated species populations at an early stage of allopatric divergence. The targeted capture of both coding and non-coding sequences enables SNPs to be characterized at known locations across the genome and at genes with known selective or neutral histories. The neutral coding and non-coding SNPs provide robust background distributions for identifying FST-outliers within genes that can, in principle, identify specific mutations experiencing diversifying selection. If natural hybridization occurs between species, the neutral coding and non-coding SNPs can provide a neutral admixture model for genomic clines analyses aimed at finding genes exhibiting strong blocks to introgression. Strongylocentrotid sea urchins are used as a model system to outline the approach but it can be used for any group that has a complete reference genome available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant H. Pogson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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228
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Jue NK, Batta-Lona PG, Trusiak S, Obergfell C, Bucklin A, O'Neill MJ, O'Neill RJ. Rapid Evolutionary Rates and Unique Genomic Signatures Discovered in the First Reference Genome for the Southern Ocean Salp, Salpa thompsoni (Urochordata, Thaliacea). Genome Biol Evol 2016; 8:3171-3186. [PMID: 27624472 PMCID: PMC5174732 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evw215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A preliminary genome sequence has been assembled for the Southern Ocean salp, Salpa thompsoni (Urochordata, Thaliacea). Despite the ecological importance of this species in Antarctic pelagic food webs and its potential role as an indicator of changing Southern Ocean ecosystems in response to climate change, no genomic resources are available for S. thompsoni or any closely related urochordate species. Using a multiple-platform, multiple-individual approach, we have produced a 318,767,936-bp genome sequence, covering >50% of the estimated 602 Mb (±173 Mb) genome size for S. thompsoni. Using a nonredundant set of predicted proteins, >50% (16,823) of sequences showed significant homology to known proteins and ∼38% (12,151) of the total protein predictions were associated with Gene Ontology functional information. We have generated 109,958 SNP variant and 9,782 indel predictions for this species, serving as a resource for future phylogenomic and population genetic studies. Comparing the salp genome to available assemblies for four other urochordates, Botryllus schlosseri, Ciona intestinalis, Ciona savignyi and Oikopleura dioica, we found that S. thompsoni shares the previously estimated rapid rates of evolution for these species. High mutation rates are thus independent of genome size, suggesting that rates of evolution >1.5 times that observed for vertebrates are a broad taxonomic characteristic of urochordates. Tests for positive selection implemented in PAML revealed a small number of genes with sites undergoing rapid evolution, including genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and metabolic and immune process that may be reflective of both adaptation to polar, planktonic environments as well as the complex life history of the salps. Finally, we performed an initial survey of small RNAs, revealing the presence of known, conserved miRNAs, as well as novel miRNA genes; unique piRNAs; and mature miRNA signatures for varying developmental stages. Collectively, these resources provide a genomic foundation supporting S. thompsoni as a model species for further examination of the exceptional rates and patterns of genomic evolution shown by urochordates. Additionally, genomic data will allow for the development of molecular indicators of key life history events and processes and afford new understandings and predictions of impacts of climate change on this key species of Antarctic pelagic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel K Jue
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, CT.,Present address: School of Natural Sciences, California State University, Monterey Bay, CA
| | - Paola G Batta-Lona
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, CT.,Present address: Departamento de Biotecnologia Marina, CICESE, Ensenada, B.C. Mexico
| | - Sarah Trusiak
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Craig Obergfell
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Ann Bucklin
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Michael J O'Neill
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, CT
| | - Rachel J O'Neill
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, CT
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229
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Kari W, Zeng F, Zitzelsberger L, Will J, Rothbächer U. Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27805579 PMCID: PMC5092207 DOI: 10.3791/54313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple model organisms are instrumental for in vivo studies of developmental and cellular differentiation processes. Currently, the evolutionary distance to man of conventional invertebrate model systems and the complexity of genomes in vertebrates are critical challenges to modeling human normal and pathological conditions. The chordate Ciona intestinalis is an invertebrate chordate that emerged from a common ancestor with the vertebrates and may represent features at the interface between invertebrates and vertebrates. A common body plan with much simpler cellular and genomic composition should unveil gene regulatory network (GRN) links and functional genomics readouts explaining phenomena in the vertebrate condition. The compact genome of Ciona, a fixed embryonic lineage with few divisions and large cells, combined with versatile community tools foster efficient gene functional analyses in this organism. Here, we present several crucial methods for this promising model organism, which belongs to the closest sister group to vertebrates. We present protocols for transient transgenesis by electroporation, along with microinjection-mediated gene knockdown, which together provide the means to study gene function and genomic regulatory elements. We extend our protocols to provide information on how community databases are utilized for in silico design of gene regulatory or gene functional experiments. An example study demonstrates how novel information can be gained on the interplay, and its quantification, of selected neural factors conserved between Ciona and man. Furthermore, we show examples of differential subcellular localization in embryonic cells, following DNA electroporation in Ciona zygotes. Finally, we discuss the potential of these protocols to be adapted for tissue specific gene interference with emerging gene editing methods. The in vivo approaches in Ciona overcome major shortcomings of classical model organisms in the quest of unraveling conserved mechanisms in the chordate developmental program, relevant to stem cell research, drug discovery, and subsequent clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willi Kari
- Department of Evolution and Developmental Biology, Zoological Institute, University Innsbruck
| | - Fan Zeng
- Department of Evolution and Developmental Biology, Zoological Institute, University Innsbruck
| | - Lena Zitzelsberger
- Department of Evolution and Developmental Biology, Zoological Institute, University Innsbruck
| | - Johannes Will
- Department of Evolution and Developmental Biology, Zoological Institute, University Innsbruck
| | - Ute Rothbächer
- Department of Evolution and Developmental Biology, Zoological Institute, University Innsbruck;
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230
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Bouchemousse S, Liautard-Haag C, Bierne N, Viard F. Distinguishing contemporary hybridization from past introgression with postgenomic ancestry-informative SNPs in strongly differentiated Ciona species. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:5527-5542. [PMID: 27662427 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biological introductions bring into contact species that can still hybridize. The evolutionary outcomes of such secondary contacts may be diverse (e.g. adaptive introgression from or into the introduced species) but are not yet well examined in the wild. The recent secondary contact between the non-native sea squirt Ciona robusta (formerly known as C. intestinalis type A) and its native congener C. intestinalis (formerly known as C. intestinalis type B), in the Western English Channel, provides an excellent case study to examine. To examine contemporary hybridization between the two species, we developed a panel of 310 ancestry-informative SNPs from a population transcriptomic study. Hybridization rates were examined on 449 individuals sampled in eight sites from the sympatric range and five sites from allopatric ranges. The results clearly showed an almost complete absence of contemporary hybridization between the two species in syntopic localities, with only one-first-generation hybrid and no other genotype compatible with recent backcrosses. Despite the almost lack of contemporary hybridization, shared polymorphisms were observed in sympatric and allopatric populations of both species. Furthermore, one allopatric population from SE Pacific exhibited a higher rate of shared polymorphisms compared to all other C. robusta populations. Altogether, these results indicate that the observed level of shared polymorphism is more probably the outcome of ancient gene flow spread afterwards at a worldwide scale. They also emphasize efficient reproductive barriers preventing hybridization between introduced and native species, which suggests hybridization should not impede too much the expansion and the establishment of the non-native species in its introduction range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bouchemousse
- UPMC Univ Paris 6, UMR 7144, Equipe DIVCO, Sorbonne Universités, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France.,CNRS, UMR 7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France
| | - Cathy Liautard-Haag
- Station Marine - OSU OREME, Université de Montpellier, 2 Rue des Chantiers, 34200, Sète, France.,CNRS-UM-IRD-EPHE, UMR 5554, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Bierne
- Station Marine - OSU OREME, Université de Montpellier, 2 Rue des Chantiers, 34200, Sète, France.,CNRS-UM-IRD-EPHE, UMR 5554, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédérique Viard
- UPMC Univ Paris 6, UMR 7144, Equipe DIVCO, Sorbonne Universités, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France. .,CNRS, UMR 7144, Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Place Georges Teissier, 29680, Roscoff, France.
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231
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Tai A, Cheung M, Huang YH, Jauch R, Bronner ME, Cheah KSE. SOXE neofunctionalization and elaboration of the neural crest during chordate evolution. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34964. [PMID: 27734831 PMCID: PMC5062122 DOI: 10.1038/srep34964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
During chordate evolution, two genome-wide duplications facilitated acquisition of vertebrate traits, including emergence of neural crest cells (NCCs), in which neofunctionalization of the duplicated genes are thought to have facilitated development of craniofacial structures and the peripheral nervous system. How these duplicated genes evolve and acquire the ability to specify NC and their derivatives are largely unknown. Vertebrate SoxE paralogues, most notably Sox9/10, are essential for NC induction, delamination and lineage specification. In contrast, the basal chordate, amphioxus, has a single SoxE gene and lacks NC-like cells. Here, we test the hypothesis that duplication and divergence of an ancestral SoxE gene may have facilitated elaboration of NC lineages. By using an in vivo expression assay to compare effects of AmphiSoxE and vertebrate Sox9 on NC development, we demonstrate that all SOXE proteins possess similar DNA binding and homodimerization properties and can induce NCCs. However, AmphiSOXE is less efficient than SOX9 in transactivation activity and in the ability to preferentially promote glial over neuronal fate, a difference that lies within the combined properties of amino terminal and transactivation domains. We propose that acquisition of AmphiSoxE expression in the neural plate border led to NCC emergence while duplication and divergence produced advantageous mutations in vertebrate homologues, promoting elaboration of NC traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Tai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Martin Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yong-Heng Huang
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Drug Discovery Pipeline, Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510530, China
| | - Ralf Jauch
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Drug Discovery Pipeline, Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510530, China
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Kathryn S E Cheah
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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232
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Abstract
Ascidians are invertebrate chordates with a biphasic life cycle characterized by a dual body plan that displays simplified versions of chordate structures, such as a premetamorphic 40-cell notochord topped by a dorsal nerve cord and postmetamorphic pharyngeal slits. These relatively simple chordates are characterized by rapid development, compact genomes and ease of transgenesis, and thus provide the opportunity to rapidly characterize the genomic organization, developmental function, and transcriptional regulation of evolutionarily conserved gene families. This review summarizes the current knowledge on members of the T-box family of transcription factors in Ciona and other ascidians. In both chordate and nonchordate animals, these genes control a variety of morphogenetic processes, and their mutations are responsible for malformations and developmental defects in organisms ranging from flies to humans. In ascidians, T-box transcription factors are required for the formation and specialization of essential structures, including notochord, muscle, heart, and differentiated neurons. In recent years, the experimental advantages offered by ascidian embryos have allowed the rapid accumulation of a wealth of information on the molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of T-box genes. These studies have also elucidated the strategies employed by these transcription factors to orchestrate the appropriate spatial and temporal deployment of the numerous target genes that they control.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Gregorio
- New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, United States.
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233
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Imai KS, Hudson C, Oda-Ishii I, Yasuo H, Satou Y. Antagonism between β-catenin and Gata.a sequentially segregates the germ layers of ascidian embryos. Development 2016; 143:4167-4172. [PMID: 27707797 DOI: 10.1242/dev.141481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Many animal embryos use nuclear β-catenin (nβ-catenin) during the segregation of endomesoderm (or endoderm) from ectoderm. This mechanism is thus likely to be evolutionarily ancient. In the ascidian embryo, nβ-catenin reiteratively drives binary fate decisions between ectoderm and endomesoderm at the 16-cell stage, and then between endoderm and margin (mesoderm and caudal neural) at the 32-cell stage. At the 16-cell stage, nβ-catenin activates endomesoderm genes in the vegetal hemisphere. At the same time, nβ-catenin suppresses the DNA-binding activity of a maternal transcription factor, Gata.a, through a physical interaction, and Gata.a thereby activates its target genes only in the ectodermal lineage. In the present study, we found that this antagonism between nβ-catenin and Gata.a also operates during the binary fate switch at the 32-cell stage. Namely, in marginal cells where nβ-catenin is absent, Gata.a directly activates its target, Zic-r.b (ZicL), to specify the marginal cell lineages. Thus, the antagonistic action between nβ-catenin and Gata.a is involved in two consecutive stages of germ layer segregation in ascidian embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru S Imai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan.,Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Clare Hudson
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer, Observatoire Océanologique, Villefranche-sur-mer 06230, France
| | - Izumi Oda-Ishii
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hitoyoshi Yasuo
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer, Observatoire Océanologique, Villefranche-sur-mer 06230, France
| | - Yutaka Satou
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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234
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The Ciona intestinalis cleavage clock is independent of DNA methylation. Genomics 2016; 108:168-176. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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235
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Segade F, Cota C, Famiglietti A, Cha A, Davidson B. Fibronectin contributes to notochord intercalation in the invertebrate chordate, Ciona intestinalis. EvoDevo 2016; 7:21. [PMID: 27583126 PMCID: PMC5006582 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-016-0056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genomic analysis has upended chordate phylogeny, placing the tunicates as the sister group to the vertebrates. This taxonomic rearrangement raises questions about the emergence of a tunicate/vertebrate ancestor. RESULTS Characterization of developmental genes uniquely shared by tunicates and vertebrates is one promising approach for deciphering developmental shifts underlying acquisition of novel, ancestral traits. The matrix glycoprotein Fibronectin (FN) has long been considered a vertebrate-specific gene, playing a major instructive role in vertebrate embryonic development. However, the recent computational prediction of an orthologous "vertebrate-like" Fn gene in the genome of a tunicate, Ciona savignyi, challenges this viewpoint suggesting that Fn may have arisen in the shared tunicate/vertebrate ancestor. Here we verify the presence of a tunicate Fn ortholog. Transgenic reporter analysis was used to characterize a Ciona Fn enhancer driving expression in the notochord. Targeted knockdown in the notochord lineage indicates that FN is required for proper convergent extension. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that acquisition of Fn was associated with altered notochord morphogenesis in the vertebrate/tunicate ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Segade
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Christina Cota
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081 USA
| | - Amber Famiglietti
- Section on Biological Chemistry, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Anna Cha
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Brad Davidson
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081 USA
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236
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Velandia-Huerto CA, Gittenberger AA, Brown FD, Stadler PF, Bermúdez-Santana CI. Automated detection of ncRNAs in the draft genome sequence of a colonial tunicate: the carpet sea squirt Didemnum vexillum. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:691. [PMID: 27576499 PMCID: PMC5006418 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-2934-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The colonial ascidian Didemnum vexillum, sea carpet squirt, is not only a key marine organism to study morphological ancestral patterns of chordates evolution but it is also of great ecological importance due to its status as a major invasive species. Non-coding RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), are important regulatory genes that impact development and environmental adaptation. Beyond miRNAs, not much in known about tunicate ncRNAs. RESULTS We provide here a comprehensive homology-based annotation of non-coding RNAs in the recently sequenced genome of D. vexillum. To this end we employed a combination of several computational approaches, including blast searches with a wide range of parameters, and secondary structured centered survey with infernal. The resulting candidate set was curated extensively to produce a high-quality ncRNA annotation of the first draft of the D. vexillum genome. It comprises 57 miRNA families, 4 families of ribosomal RNAs, 22 isoacceptor classes of tRNAs (of which more than 72 % of loci are pseudogenes), 13 snRNAs, 12 snoRNAs, and 1 other RNA family. Additionally, 21 families of mitochondrial tRNAs and 2 of mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs and 1 long non-coding RNA. CONCLUSIONS The comprehensive annotation of the D. vexillum non-coding RNAs provides a starting point towards a better understanding of the restructuring of the small RNA system in ascidians. Furthermore it provides a valuable research for efforts to establish detailed non-coding RNA annotations for other recently published and recently sequences in tunicate genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian A. Velandia-Huerto
- Biology Department, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 # 26-85, Edif. Uriel Gutiérrez, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
| | - Adriaan A. Gittenberger
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, P.O. Box 9505, 2300 RA Netherlands
- GiMaRIS, BioScience Park Leiden, J.H. Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, Netherlands
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Federico D. Brown
- Laboratorio de Biología del Desarrollo Evolutiva, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1 No. 18A-12, Bogotá, Colombia
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Tr. 14 no. 101, São Paulo SP, Brazil
- Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de São Paulo, Rod. Manuel Hypólito do Rego km. 131.5, Praia do Cabelo Gordo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Peter F. Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, and Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16–18, Leipzig, D-04107 Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Inselstraße 22, Leipzig, D-04103 Germany
- Fraunhofer Institut for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Perlickstraße 1, Leipzig, D-04103 Germany
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 17, Vienna, A-1090 Austria
- Center for non-coding RNA in Technology and Health, Grønegårdsvej 3, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870 Denmark
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM87501 USA
| | - Clara I. Bermúdez-Santana
- Biology Department, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Carrera 45 # 26-85, Edif. Uriel Gutiérrez, Bogotá D.C, Colombia
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237
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Abstract
Cardiac cell specification and the genetic determinants that govern this process are highly conserved among Chordates. Recent studies have established the importance of evolutionarily-conserved mechanisms in the study of congenital heart defects and disease, as well as cardiac regeneration. As a basal Chordate, the Ciona model system presents a simple scaffold that recapitulates the basic blueprint of cardiac development in Chordates. Here we will focus on the development and cellular structure of the heart of the ascidian Ciona as compared to other Chordates, principally vertebrates. Comparison of the Ciona model system to heart development in other Chordates presents great potential for dissecting the genetic mechanisms that underlie congenital heart defects and disease at the cellular level and might provide additional insight into potential pathways for therapeutic cardiac regeneration.
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238
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Shenkar N, Koplovitz G, Dray L, Gissi C, Huchon D. Back to solitude: Solving the phylogenetic position of the Diazonidae using molecular and developmental characters. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 100:51-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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239
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Stanley EC, Azzinaro PA, Vierra DA, Howlett NG, Irvine SQ. The Simple Chordate Ciona intestinalis Has a Reduced Complement of Genes Associated with Fanconi Anemia. Evol Bioinform Online 2016; 12:133-48. [PMID: 27279728 PMCID: PMC4898443 DOI: 10.4137/ebo.s37920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fanconi anemia (FA) is a human genetic disease characterized by congenital defects, bone marrow failure, and increased cancer risk. FA is associated with mutation in one of 24 genes. The protein products of these genes function cooperatively in the FA pathway to orchestrate the repair of DNA interstrand cross-links. Few model organisms exist for the study of FA. Seeking a model organism with a simpler version of the FA pathway, we searched the genome of the simple chordate Ciona intestinalis for homologs of the human FA-associated proteins. BLAST searches, sequence alignments, hydropathy comparisons, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis, and structural modeling were used to infer the likelihood of homology between C. intestinalis and human FA proteins. Our analysis indicates that C. intestinalis indeed has a simpler and potentially functional FA pathway. The C. intestinalis genome was searched for candidates for homology to 24 human FA and FA-associated proteins. Support was found for the existence of homologs for 13 of these 24 human genes in C. intestinalis. Members of each of the three commonly recognized FA gene functional groups were found. In group I, we identified homologs of FANCE, FANCL, FANCM, and UBE2T/FANCT. Both members of group II, FANCD2 and FANCI, have homologs in C. intestinalis. In group III, we found evidence for homologs of FANCJ, FANCO, FANCQ/ERCC4, FANCR/RAD51, and FANCS/BRCA1, as well as the FA-associated proteins ERCC1 and FAN1. Evidence was very weak for the existence of homologs in C. intestinalis for any other recognized FA genes. This work supports the notion that C. intestinalis, as a close relative of vertebrates, but having a much reduced complement of FA genes, offers a means of studying the function of certain FA proteins in a simpler pathway than that of vertebrate cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward C Stanley
- Integrative and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Specialization, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Paul A Azzinaro
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Specialization, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - David A Vierra
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Specialization, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Niall G Howlett
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Specialization, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Steven Q Irvine
- Integrative and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Specialization, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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240
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Braun K, Stach T. Comparative study of serotonin-like immunoreactivity in the branchial basket, digestive tract, and nervous system in tunicates. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-016-0317-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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241
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Actin-Induced Structure in the Beta-Thymosin Family of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2016; 102:55-71. [PMID: 27450730 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a 43-amino acid signature motif peptide that defines the beta-thymosin (βT) family of proteins. βTs are intrinsically unstructured in their free states and undergo disorder-to-order transitions in carrying out their biological functions. This property poses challenges in determining their 3D structures, mainly favoring structural studies on the complexes formed between βTs and their interaction partners. One of the βTs' primary binding partners is monomeric actin, a major component of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. Tβ4's role in this system is to maintain the highly concentrated pool of monomeric actin that can be accessed through profilin by actin filament nucleating machineries. Here, we give an account of the structures of βTs that have been illuminated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray crystallography. NMR has been the method of choice for probing regions that have intrinsic conformational preference within the largely disordered βTs in their native states in solution. X-ray crystallography has demonstrated at atomic detail how βTs interact with actin. Detailed analysis of these structures highlights the disorder-to-order transition of Tβ4 in binding to actin and its isoform specificity.
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242
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Cima F, Franchi N. Histamine Stimulates Ciliary Beat Frequency via the H2 Receptor in the ProtochordateBotryllus schlosseri. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2016; 326:176-92. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cima
- Department of Biology; University of Padova; Padova Italy
| | - Nicola Franchi
- Department of Biology; University of Padova; Padova Italy
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243
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Abstract
The recent increase in genomic data is revealing an unexpected perspective of gene loss as a pervasive source of genetic variation that can cause adaptive phenotypic diversity. This novel perspective of gene loss is raising new fundamental questions. How relevant has gene loss been in the divergence of phyla? How do genes change from being essential to dispensable and finally to being lost? Is gene loss mostly neutral, or can it be an effective way of adaptation? These questions are addressed, and insights are discussed from genomic studies of gene loss in populations and their relevance in evolutionary biology and biomedicine.
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244
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Gökirmak T, Campanale JP, Reitzel AM, Shipp LE, Moy GW, Hamdoun A. Functional diversification of sea urchin ABCC1 (MRP1) by alternative splicing. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2016; 310:C911-20. [PMID: 27053522 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00029.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The multidrug resistance protein (MRP) family encodes a diverse repertoire of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters with multiple roles in development, disease, and homeostasis. Understanding MRP evolution is central to unraveling their roles in these diverse processes. Sea urchins occupy an important phylogenetic position for understanding the evolution of vertebrate proteins and have been an important invertebrate model system for study of ABC transporters. We used phylogenetic analyses to examine the evolution of MRP transporters and functional approaches to identify functional forms of sea urchin MRP1 (also known as SpABCC1). SpABCC1, the only MRP homolog in sea urchins, is co-orthologous to human MRP1, MRP3, and MRP6 (ABCC1, ABCC3, and ABCC6) transporters. However, efflux assays revealed that alternative splicing of exon 22, a region critical for substrate interactions, could diversify functions of sea urchin MRP1. Phylogenetic comparisons also indicate that while MRP1, MRP3, and MRP6 transporters potentially arose from a single transporter in basal deuterostomes, alternative splicing appears to have been the major mode of functional diversification in invertebrates, while duplication may have served a more important role in vertebrates. These results provide a deeper understanding of the evolutionary origins of MRP transporters and the potential mechanisms used to diversify their functions in different groups of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tufan Gökirmak
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and
| | - Joseph P Campanale
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and
| | - Adam M Reitzel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Lauren E Shipp
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and
| | - Gary W Moy
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and
| | - Amro Hamdoun
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; and
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Canapa A, Barucca M, Biscotti MA, Forconi M, Olmo E. Transposons, Genome Size, and Evolutionary Insights in Animals. Cytogenet Genome Res 2016; 147:217-39. [PMID: 26967166 DOI: 10.1159/000444429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between genome size and the percentage of transposons in 161 animal species evidenced that variations in genome size are linked to the amplification or the contraction of transposable elements. The activity of transposable elements could represent a response to environmental stressors. Indeed, although with different trends in protostomes and deuterostomes, comprehensive changes in genome size were recorded in concomitance with particular periods of evolutionary history or adaptations to specific environments. During evolution, genome size and the presence of transposable elements have influenced structural and functional parameters of genomes and cells. Changes of these parameters have had an impact on morphological and functional characteristics of the organism on which natural selection directly acts. Therefore, the current situation represents a balance between insertion and amplification of transposons and the mechanisms responsible for their deletion or for decreasing their activity. Among the latter, methylation and the silencing action of small RNAs likely represent the most frequent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Canapa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Universitx00E0; Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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246
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Lemaire P, Piette J. Tunicates: exploring the sea shores and roaming the open ocean. A tribute to Thomas Huxley. Open Biol 2016; 5:150053. [PMID: 26085517 PMCID: PMC4632506 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.150053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review is a tribute to the remarkable contributions of Thomas Huxley to the biology of tunicates, the likely sister group of vertebrates. In 1851, the great biologist and philosopher published two landmark papers on pelagic tunicates in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. They were dedicated to the description of the adult anatomy and life cycle of thaliaceans and appendicularians, the pelagic relatives of ascidians. In the first part of this review, we discuss the novel anatomical observations and evolutionary hypotheses made by Huxley, which would have a lasting influence on tunicate biology. We also briefly comment on the more philosophical reflections of Huxley on individuality. In the second part, we stress the originality and relevance of past and future studies of tunicates in the resolution of major biological issues. In particular, we focus on the complex relationship between genotype and phenotype and the phenomenon of developmental system drift. We propose that more than 150 years after Huxley's papers, tunicate embryos are still worth studying in their own right, independently of their evolutionary proximity to vertebrates, as they provide original and crucial insights into the process of animal evolution. Tunicates are still at the forefront of biological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lemaire
- Centre de Recherches de Biochimie Macromoléculaire. UMR 5237, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier cedex 5, France
| | - Jacques Piette
- Centre de Recherches de Biochimie Macromoléculaire. UMR 5237, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier cedex 5, France
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247
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Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptome-Based Expression Profiling of the Sox Gene Family in the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:270. [PMID: 26907269 PMCID: PMC4813134 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17030270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sox transcription factor family is characterized with the presence of a Sry-related high-mobility group (HMG) box and plays important roles in various biological processes in animals, including sex determination and differentiation, and the development of multiple organs. In this study, 27 Sox genes were identified in the genome of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and were classified into seven groups. The members of each group of the tilapia Sox genes exhibited a relatively conserved exon-intron structure. Comparative analysis showed that the Sox gene family has undergone an expansion in tilapia and other teleost fishes following their whole genome duplication, and group K only exists in teleosts. Transcriptome-based analysis demonstrated that most of the tilapia Sox genes presented stage-specific and/or sex-dimorphic expressions during gonadal development, and six of the group B Sox genes were specifically expressed in the adult brain. Our results provide a better understanding of gene structure and spatio-temporal expression of the Sox gene family in tilapia, and will be useful for further deciphering the roles of the Sox genes during sex determination and gonadal development in teleosts.
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248
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Gut immunity in a protochordate involves a secreted immunoglobulin-type mediator binding host chitin and bacteria. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10617. [PMID: 26875669 PMCID: PMC4757023 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Protochordate variable region-containing chitin-binding proteins (VCBPs) consist of immunoglobulin-type V domains and a chitin-binding domain (CBD). VCBP V domains facilitate phagocytosis of bacteria by granulocytic amoebocytes; the function of the CBD is not understood. Here we show that the gut mucosa of Ciona intestinalis contains an extensive matrix of chitin fibrils to which VCBPs bind early in gut development, before feeding. Later in development, VCBPs and bacteria colocalize to chitin-rich mucus along the intestinal wall. VCBP-C influences biofilm formation in vitro and, collectively, the findings of this study suggest that VCBP-C may influence the overall settlement and colonization of bacteria in the Ciona gut. Basic relationships between soluble immunoglobulin-type molecules, endogenous chitin and bacteria arose early in chordate evolution and are integral to the overall function of the gut barrier.
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249
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The phylogeny, evolutionary developmental biology, and paleobiology of the Deuterostomia: 25 years of new techniques, new discoveries, and new ideas. ORG DIVERS EVOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-016-0270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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250
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Mier P, Andrade-Navarro MA. FastaHerder2: Four Ways to Research Protein Function and Evolution with Clustering and Clustered Databases. J Comput Biol 2016; 23:270-8. [PMID: 26828375 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2015.0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The accelerated growth of protein databases offers great possibilities for the study of protein function using sequence similarity and conservation. However, the huge number of sequences deposited in these databases requires new ways of analyzing and organizing the data. It is necessary to group the many very similar sequences, creating clusters with automated derived annotations useful to understand their function, evolution, and level of experimental evidence. We developed an algorithm called FastaHerder2, which can cluster any protein database, putting together very similar protein sequences based on near-full-length similarity and/or high threshold of sequence identity. We compressed 50 reference proteomes, along with the SwissProt database, which we could compress by 74.7%. The clustering algorithm was benchmarked using OrthoBench and compared with FASTA HERDER, a previous version of the algorithm, showing that FastaHerder2 can cluster a set of proteins yielding a high compression, with a lower error rate than its predecessor. We illustrate the use of FastaHerder2 to detect biologically relevant functional features in protein families. With our approach we seek to promote a modern view and usage of the protein sequence databases more appropriate to the postgenomic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Mier
- 1 Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz , Mainz, Germany .,2 Institute of Molecular Biology , Mainz, Germany
| | - Miguel A Andrade-Navarro
- 1 Faculty of Biology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz , Mainz, Germany .,2 Institute of Molecular Biology , Mainz, Germany
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