Evolution of multigene families by gene duplication. A haploid model

Genomic Survey of Flavin Monooxygenases in Wild and Cultivated Rice Provides Insight into Evolution and Functional Diversities

The flavin monooxygenase (FMO) enzyme was discovered in mammalian liver cells that convert a carcinogenic compound, N-N'-dimethylaniline, into a non-carcinogenic compound, N-oxide. Since then, many FMOs have been reported in animal systems for their primary role in the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds. In plants, this family has diverged to perform varied functions like pathogen defense, auxin biosynthesis, and S-oxygenation of compounds. Only a few members of this family, primarily those involved in auxin biosynthesis, have been functionally characterized in plant species. Thus, the present study aims to identify all the members of the FMO family in 10 different wild and cultivated Oryza species. Genome-wide analysis of the FMO family in different Oryza species reveals that each species has multiple FMO members in its genome and that this family is conserved throughout evolution. Taking clues from its role in pathogen defense and its possible function in ROS scavenging, we have also assessed the involvement of this family in abiotic stresses. A detailed in silico expression analysis of the FMO family in Oryza sativa subsp. japonica revealed that only a subset of genes responds to different abiotic stresses. This is supported by the experimental validation of a few selected genes using qRT-PCR in stress-sensitive Oryza sativa subsp. indica and stress-sensitive wild rice Oryza nivara. The identification and comprehensive in silico analysis of FMO genes from different Oryza species carried out in this study will serve as the foundation for further structural and functional studies of FMO genes in rice as well as other crop types.

Cytogenomic analysis unveils mixed molecular evolution and recurrent chromosomal rearrangements shaping the multigene families on Schistocerca grasshopper genomes

Multigene families are essential components of eukaryotic genomes and play key roles either structurally and functionally. Their modes of evolution remain elusive even in the era of genomics, because multiple multigene family sequences coexist in genomes, particularly in large repetitive genomes. Here, we investigate how the multigene families 18S rDNA, U2 snDNA, and H3 histone evolved in 10 species of Schistocerca grasshoppers with very large and repeat-enriched genomes. Using sequenced genomes and fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping, we find substantial differences between species, including the number of chromosomal clusters, changes in sequence abundance and nucleotide composition, pseudogenization, and association with transposable elements (TEs). The intragenomic analysis of Schistocerca gregaria using long-read sequencing and genome assembly unveils conservation for H3 histone and recurrent pseudogenization for 18S rDNA and U2 snDNA, likely promoted by association with TEs and sequence truncation. Remarkably, TEs were frequently associated with truncated copies, were also among the most abundant in the genome, and revealed signatures of recent activity. Our findings suggest a combined effect of concerted and birth-and-death models driving the evolution of multigene families in Schistocerca over the last 8 million years, and the occurrence of intra- and interchromosomal rearrangements shaping their chromosomal distribution. Despite the conserved karyotype in Schistocerca, our analysis highlights the extensive reorganization of repetitive DNAs in Schistocerca, contributing to the advance of comparative genomics for this important grasshopper genus.

Optimum chalcone synthase for flavonoid biosynthesis in microorganisms

Chalcones and the subsequently generated flavonoids, as well as flavonoid derivatives, have been proven to have a variety of physiological activities and are widely used in: the pharmaceutical, food, feed, and cosmetic industries. As the content of chalcones and downstream products in native plants is low, the production of these compounds by microorganisms has gained the attention of many researchers and has a history of more than 20 years. The mining and engineering of chalcone synthase (CHS) could be one of the most important ways to achieve more efficient production of chalcones and downstream products in microorganisms. CHS has a broad spectrum of substrates, and its enzyme activity and expression level can significantly affect the efficiency of the biosynthesis of flavonoids. This review summarizes the recent advances in the: structure, mechanism, evolution, substrate spectrum, transformation, and expression regulation in the flavonoid biosynthesis of this vital enzyme. Future development directions were also suggested. The findings may further promote the research and development of flavonoids and health products, making them vital in the fields of human diet and health.

Revisiting the diffusion approximation to estimate evolutionary rates of gene family diversification

Genetic diversity in multigene families is shaped by multiple processes, including gene conversion and point mutation. Because multi-gene families are involved in crucial traits of organisms, quantifying the rates of their genetic diversification is important. With increasing availability of genomic data, there is a growing need for quantitative approaches that integrate the molecular evolution of gene families with their higher-scale function. In this study, we integrate a stochastic simulation framework with population genetics theory, namely the diffusion approximation, to investigate the dynamics of genetic diversification in a gene family. Duplicated genes can diverge and encode new functions as a result of point mutation, and become more similar through gene conversion. To model the evolution of pairwise identity in a multigene family, we first consider all conversion and mutation events in a discrete manner, keeping track of their details and times of occurrence; second we consider only the infinitesimal effect of these processes on pairwise identity accounting for random sampling of genes and positions. The purely stochastic approach is closer to biological reality and is based on many explicit parameters, such as conversion tract length and family size, but is more challenging analytically. The population genetics approach is an approximation accounting implicitly for point mutation and gene conversion, only in terms of per-site average probabilities. Comparison of these two approaches across a range of parameter combinations reveals that they are not entirely equivalent, but that for certain relevant regimes they do match. As an application of this modelling framework, we consider the distribution of nucleotide identity among VSG genes of African trypanosomes, representing the most prominent example of a multi-gene family mediating parasite antigenic variation and within-host immune evasion.

Antimicrobial peptides and proteins of the horse--insights into a well-armed organism

Antimicrobial peptides play a pivotal role as key effectors of the innate immune system in plants and animals and act as endogenous antibiotics. The molecules exhibit an antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotic pathogens with different specificities and potencies depending on the structure and amino-acid composition of the peptides. Several antimicrobial peptides were comprehensively investigated in the last three decades and some molecules with remarkable antimicrobial properties have reached the third phase of clinical studies. Next to the peptides themselves, numerous organisms were examined and analyzed regarding their repertoire of antimicrobial peptides revealing a huge number of candidates with potencies and properties for future medical applications. One of these organisms is the horse, which possesses numerous peptides that are interesting candidates for therapeutical applications in veterinary medicine. Here we summarize investigations and knowledge on equine antimicrobial peptides, point to interesting candidates, and discuss prospects for therapeutical applications.

Bovine ?-defensins: Identification and characterization of novel bovine ?-defensin genes and their expression in mammarygland tissue

beta-Defensin genes code for multifunctional peptides with a broad-range antimicrobial activity. In this project we hypothesized that beta-defensin genes may be candidate genes for resistance to mastitis. In this article we describe the identification and genomic characterization of eight bovine beta-defensin genes, including six novel defensin genes and two pseudogenes. Expression in the bovine mammary gland of one of the novel genes, DEFB401, has been demonstrated, as well as the expression of LAP, TAP, DEFB1, BNBD3, BNBD9, and BNBD12. For genomic characterization, 20 BACs from two different bovine BAC libraries (RZPD numbers 750 and 754) were isolated by PCR screening with beta-defensin consensus primers derived from published sequences. PCR products from BACs generated with consensus primers have been subcloned and sequenced, revealing a total of 16 genes and two pseudogenes. Six novel beta-defensin genes share the typical exon-intron structure and are highly homologous to published bovine beta-defensin genes. They are named DEFB401- DEFB405 and LAP-like, and two novel pseudogenes are named EBD-P and EBD-P2. Analysis of mammary gland tissue-derived cDNA from nine cows with different clinical findings demonstrated the expression of several beta-defensin genes mentioned above. First results indicate that the lactational status of the cow presumably has no influence on gene expression. Competent knowledge of antimicrobial activity of beta-defensins from literature, the abundance of beta-defensin mRNA in the bovine mammary gland, and the inducibility of some genes give first evidence that beta-defensins may play a role in local host defense during udder infections.

Evolution of gene families

In eukaryote genomes, there are many kinds of gene families. Gene duplication and conversion are sources of the evolution of gene families, including those with uniform members and those with diverse functions. Population genetics theory on identity coefficients among gene members of a gene family shows that the balance between diversification by mutation, and homogenization by unequal crossing over and gene conversion, is important. Also, evolution of new functions is due to gene duplication followed by differentiation. Positive selection is necessary for the evolution of novel functions. However, many examples of current gene families suggest that both drift and selection are at work on their evolution.

Vertebrate pseudogenes

Pseudogenes are commonly encountered during investigation of the genomes of a wide range of life forms. This review concentrates on vertebrate, and in particular mammalian, pseudogenes and describes their origin and subsequent evolution. Consideration is also given to pseudogenes that are transcribed and to the unusual group of genes that exist at the interface between functional genes and non-functional pseudogenes. As the sequences of different genomes are characterised, the recognition and interpretation of pseudogene sequences will become more important and have a greater impact in the field of molecular genetics.