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Liang X, Heath LS. Towards understanding paleoclimate impacts on primate de novo genes. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad135. [PMID: 37313728 PMCID: PMC10468307 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
De novo genes are genes that emerge as new genes in some species, such as primate de novo genes that emerge in certain primate species. Over the past decade, a great deal of research has been conducted regarding their emergence, origins, functions, and various attributes in different species, some of which have involved estimating the ages of de novo genes. However, limited by the number of species available for whole-genome sequencing, relatively few studies have focused specifically on the emergence time of primate de novo genes. Among those, even fewer investigate the association between primate gene emergence with environmental factors, such as paleoclimate (ancient climate) conditions. This study investigates the relationship between paleoclimate and human gene emergence at primate species divergence. Based on 32 available primate genome sequences, this study has revealed possible associations between temperature changes and the emergence of de novo primate genes. Overall, findings in this study are that de novo genes tended to emerge in the recent 13 MY when the temperature continues cooling, which is consistent with past findings. Furthermore, in the context of an overall trend of cooling temperature, new primate genes were more likely to emerge during local warming periods, where the warm temperature more closely resembled the environmental condition that preceded the cooling trend. Results also indicate that both primate de novo genes and human cancer-associated genes have later origins in comparison to random human genes. Future studies can be in-depth on understanding human de novo gene emergence from an environmental perspective as well as understanding species divergence from a gene emergence perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liang
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Lenwood S Heath
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Allerston CK, Lee SY, Newman JA, Schofield CJ, McHugh PJ, Gileadi O. The structures of the SNM1A and SNM1B/Apollo nuclease domains reveal a potential basis for their distinct DNA processing activities. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:11047-60. [PMID: 26582912 PMCID: PMC4678830 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The human SNM1A and SNM1B/Apollo proteins are members of an extended family of eukaryotic nuclease containing a motif related to the prokaryotic metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) fold. SNM1A is a key exonuclease during replication-dependent and transcription-coupled interstrand crosslink repair, while SNM1B/Apollo is required for maintaining telomeric overhangs. Here, we report the crystal structures of SNM1A and SNM1B at 2.16 Å. While both proteins contain a typical MBL-β-CASP domain, a region of positive charge surrounds the active site of SNM1A, which is absent in SNM1B and explains the greater apparent processivity of SNM1A. The structures of both proteins also reveal a putative, wide DNA-binding groove. Extensive mutagenesis of this groove, coupled with detailed biochemical analysis, identified residues that did not impact on SNM1A catalytic activity, but drastically reduced its processivity. Moreover, we identified a key role for this groove for efficient digestion past DNA interstrand crosslinks, facilitating the key DNA repair reaction catalysed by SNM1A. Together, the architecture and dimensions of this groove, coupled to the surrounding region of high positive charge, explain the remarkable ability of SNM1A to accommodate and efficiently digest highly distorted DNA substrates, such as those containing DNA lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles K Allerston
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Sook Y Lee
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Joseph A Newman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Peter J McHugh
- Department of Oncology, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Opher Gileadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
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A Novel WRN Frameshift Mutation Identified by Multiplex Genetic Testing in a Family with Multiple Cases of Cancer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133020. [PMID: 26241669 PMCID: PMC4524609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing technology allows simultaneous analysis of multiple susceptibility genes for clinical cancer genetics. In this study, multiplex genetic testing was conducted in a Chinese family with multiple cases of cancer to determine the variations in cancer predisposition genes. The family comprises a mother and her five daughters, of whom the mother and the eldest daughter have cancer and the secondary daughter died of cancer. We conducted multiplex genetic testing of 90 cancer susceptibility genes using the peripheral blood DNA of the mother and all five daughters. WRN frameshift mutation is considered a potential pathogenic variation according to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics. A novel WRN frameshift mutation (p.N1370Tfs*23) was identified in the three cancer patients and in the youngest unaffected daughter. Other rare non-synonymous germline mutations were also detected in DICER and ELAC2. Functional mutations in WRN cause Werner syndrome, a human autosomal recessive disease characterized by premature aging and associated with genetic instability and increased cancer risk. Our results suggest that the WRN frameshift mutation is important in the surveillance of other members of this family, especially the youngest daughter, but the pathogenicity of the novel WRN frameshift mutation needs to be investigated further. Given its extensive use in clinical genetic screening, multiplex genetic testing is a promising tool in clinical cancer surveillance.
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Identification and sequence analysis of metazoan tRNA 3'-end processing enzymes tRNase Zs. PLoS One 2012; 7:e44264. [PMID: 22962606 PMCID: PMC3433465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 07/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
tRNase Z is the endonuclease responsible for removing the 3'-trailer sequences from precursor tRNAs, a prerequisite for the addition of the CCA sequence. It occurs in the short (tRNase ZS) and long (tRNase ZL) forms. Here we report the identification and sequence analysis of candidate tRNase Zs from 81 metazoan species. We found that the vast majority of deuterostomes, lophotrochozoans and lower metazoans have one tRNase ZS and one tRNase ZL genes, whereas ecdysozoans possess only a single tRNase ZL gene. Sequence analysis revealed that in metazoans, a single nuclear tRNase ZL gene is likely to encode both the nuclear and mitochondrial forms of tRNA 3′-end processing enzyme through mechanisms that include alternative translation initiation from two in-frame start codons and alternative splicing. Sequence conservation analysis revealed a variant PxKxRN motif, PxPxRG, which is located in the N-terminal region of tRNase ZSs. We also identified a previously unappreciated motif, AxDx, present in the C-terminal region of both tRNase ZSs and tRNase ZLs. The AxDx motif consisting mainly of a very short loop is potentially close enough to form hydrogen bonds with the loop containing the PxKxRN or PxPxRG motif. Through complementation analysis, we demonstrated the likely functional importance of the AxDx motif. In conclusion, our analysis supports the notion that in metazoans a single tRNase ZL has evolved to participate in both nuclear and mitochondrial tRNA 3′-end processing, whereas tRNase ZS may have evolved new functions. Our analysis also unveils new evolutionarily conserved motifs in tRNase Zs, including the C-terminal AxDx motif, which may have functional significance.
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Hosono Y, Abe T, Ishiai M, Takata M, Enomoto T, Seki M. The role of SNM1 family nucleases in etoposide-induced apoptosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 410:568-73. [PMID: 21683065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) induced by etoposide, an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase II, are repaired mainly by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Unexpectedly, it was found that at high doses of etoposide, proteins involved in NHEJ, such as KU70/80, DNA-PKcs and ARTEMIS/SNM1C, trigger apoptosis rather than repair of DSBs. Because ARTEMIS is a member of the SNM1 protein family that includes SNM1A and APOLLO/SNM1B, this study examined whether SNM1A and/or APOLLO are also involved in etoposide-induced apoptosis. Using SNM1A(-/-) and APOLLO(-/-) cells, it was found that both SNM1A and APOLLO participate in etoposide-induced apoptosis. Although cell viability monitored by MTT assay did not differ between SNM1A(-/-)/APOLLO(-/-)/ARTEMIS(-/-), SNM1A(-/-)/APOLLO(-/-), and single gene knockout cells, DNA fragmentation monitored by TUNEL assay differed between these cells, suggesting that the three SNM1 family nucleases function independently, at least during the induction of apoptotic DNA fragmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Hosono
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba 6-3, Aramaki, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
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Abstract
Advocates of chimpanzee research claim the genetic similarity of humans and chimpanzees make them an indispensable research tool to combat human diseases. Given that cancer is a leading cause of human death worldwide, one might expect that if chimpanzees were needed for, or were productive in, cancer research, then they would have been widely used. This comprehensive literature analysis reveals that chimpanzees have scarcely been used in any form of cancer research, and that chimpanzee tumours are extremely rare and biologically different from human cancers. Often, chimpanzee citations described peripheral use of chimpanzee cells and genetic material in predominantly human genomic studies. Papers describing potential new cancer therapies noted significant concerns regarding the chimpanzee model. Other studies described interventions that have not been pursued clinically. Finally, available evidence indicates that chimpanzees are not essential in the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. It would therefore be unscientific to claim that chimpanzees are vital to cancer research. On the contrary, it is reasonable to conclude that cancer research would not suffer, if the use of chimpanzees for this purpose were prohibited in the US. Genetic differences between humans and chimpanzees, make them an unsuitable model for cancer, as well as other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod Bailey
- New England Anti-Vivisection Society, Boston, MA 02108-5100, USA.
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Seoane S, Lamas-Maceiras M, Rodríguez-Torres AM, Freire-Picos MA. Involvement of Pta1, Pcf11 and a KlCYC1 AU-rich element in alternative RNA 3'-end processing selection in yeast. FEBS Lett 2009; 583:2843-8. [PMID: 19646984 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2009] [Revised: 07/23/2009] [Accepted: 07/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This work reports the involvement of yeast RNA processing factors Pta1 and Pcf11 in alternative 3'-end RNA processing. The pta1-1 and pcf11-2 mutations changed the predominance of KlCYC1 1.14 and 1.5 kb transcript isoforms. Mutation of the KlCYC1 3'-UTR AU-rich sequence at positions 679-690 (mutant M1) altered transcript predominance. Moreover, expression of M1 in the yeast mutants partially suppressed their effects in the predominance pattern. The combination of the M1 and M2 (694-698 deletion) mutations abolished the alternative processing. Pta1 involvement in this selection was confirmed using the Pta1-td degron strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Seoane
- Universidade da Coruña, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus da Zapateira S/N, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
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Elbarbary RA, Takaku H, Nashimoto M. Functional analyses for tRNase Z variants: an aspartate and a histidine in the active site are essential for the catalytic activity. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2008; 1784:2079-85. [PMID: 18809514 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2008.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2008] [Revised: 08/22/2008] [Accepted: 08/25/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We performed functional analyses for various single amino-acid substitution variants of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and human tRNase Zs. The well-conserved six histidine, His(I)-His(VI), and two aspartate, Asp(I) and Asp(II), residues together with metal ions are thought to form the active site of tRNase Z. The Mn(2+)-rescue analysis for Thermotoga maritima tRNase Z(S) has suggested that Asp(I) and His(V) directly contribute the proton transfer for the catalysis, and a catalytic mechanism has been proposed. However, experimental evidence supporting the proposed mechanism was limited. Here we intensively examined E. coli and B. subtilis tRNase Z(S) variants and human tRNase Z(L) variants for cleavage activities on pre-tRNAs in the presence of Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) ions. We observed that the Mn(2+) ions cannot rescue the activities of Asp(I)Ala and His(V)Ala variants from each species, which are lost in the presence of Mg(2+). This observation may support the proposed catalytic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reyad A Elbarbary
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Niigata University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences, Niigata, Niigata 956-8603, Japan
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Chen YC, Giovannucci E, Kraft P, J Hunter D. Sequence variants of elaC homolog 2 (Escherichia coli) (ELAC2) gene and susceptibility to prostate cancer in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Carcinogenesis 2008; 29:999-1004. [PMID: 18375959 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgn081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), Ser217Leu and Ala541Thr, in the elaC homolog 2 (Escherichia coli) (ELAC2) gene have been related to prostate cancer risk in previous studies, though with inconsistent results. The association of ELAC2 haplotypes with prostate cancer risk has not yet been explored. We assessed whether sequence variants in ELAC2 were associated with the risk of total or aggressive prostate cancer. In a nested case-control design within the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, we identified 659 participants with prostate cancer diagnosed after they provided a blood specimen in 1993 and before January 2000. Controls were 656 age-matched men without prostate cancer who had had a prostate-specific antigen test after providing a blood specimen. We genotyped eight tagging SNPs in ELAC2 to test for the association between sequence variances in ELAC2 and prostate cancer. No individual SNP (including Ser217Leu) was associated with the risk of prostate cancer. Ala541Thr is a rare SNP in this population. One common haplotype (hap4) was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-1.85]. Two common promoter SNPs and three common haplotypes were statistically significantly associated with aggressive prostate cancer (carriers versus non-carriers-snp2: OR = 1.43, snp3: OR = 0.69, hap1: OR = 1.47, hap2: OR = 0.72, hap4: OR = 1.51; global P-value for all common haplotypes = 0.11). Common SNPs and haplotypes of ELAC2 were associated with risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ching Chen
- Department of Medicine, Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Dominski Z. Nucleases of the metallo-beta-lactamase family and their role in DNA and RNA metabolism. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2007; 42:67-93. [PMID: 17453916 DOI: 10.1080/10409230701279118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the metallo-beta-lactamase family with either demonstrated or predicted nuclease activity have been identified in a number of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans and has been shown to be important constituents of cellular metabolism. Nucleases of this family are believed to utilize a zinc-dependent mechanism in catalysis and function as 5' to 3' exonucleases and or endonucleases in such processes as 3' end processing of RNA precursors, DNA repair, V(D)J recombination, and telomere maintenance. Examples of metallo-beta-lactamase nucleases include CPSF-73, a known component of the cleavage/polyadenylation machinery, which functions as the endonuclease in 3' end formation of both polyadenylated and histone mRNAs, and Artemis that opens DNA hairpins during V(D)J recombination. Mutations in two metallo-beta-lactamase nucleases have been implicated in human diseases: tRNase Z required for 3' processing of tRNA precursors has been linked to the familial form of prostate cancer, whereas inactivation of Artemis causes severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). There is also a group of as yet uncharacterized proteins of this family in bacteria and archaea that based on sequence similarity to CPSF-73 are predicted to function as nucleases in RNA metabolism. This article reviews the cellular roles of nucleases of the metallo-beta-lactamase family and the recent advances in studying these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Dominski
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
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Perez-Iratxeta C, Palidwor G, Porter CJ, Sanche NA, Huska MR, Suomela BP, Muro EM, Krzyzanowski PM, Hughes E, Campbell PA, Rudnicki MA, Andrade MA. Study of stem cell function using microarray experiments. FEBS Lett 2005; 579:1795-801. [PMID: 15763554 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2005] [Revised: 02/10/2005] [Accepted: 02/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA Microarrays are used to simultaneously measure the levels of thousands of mRNAs in a sample. We illustrate here that a collection of such measurements in different cell types and states is a sound source of functional predictions, provided the microarray experiments are analogous and the cell samples are appropriately diverse. We have used this approach to study stem cells, whose identity and mechanisms of control are not well understood, generating Affymetrix microarray data from more than 200 samples, including stem cells and their derivatives, from human and mouse. The data can be accessed online (StemBase; http://www.scgp.ca:8080/StemBase/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Perez-Iratxeta
- Ontario Genomics Innovation Centre, Ottawa Health Research Institute, Molecular Medicine Program, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Canada K1H 8L6
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