大绿蛙6个Sox基因的克隆及进化讨论

Sox基因家族编码一类转录调控因子,他们参与到个体发育的许多过程,如中枢神经系统的形成、性别分化、骨和淋巴细胞的发育等.许多动物体内都检测到Sox基因,基于序列及其结构特点,Bowles等将其划分为10个族.本文采用简并PCR技术,扩增了大绿蛙Sox基因的HMG-box保守区,经SSCP及序列分析,获得6个基因并分别命名为:RlSox3a、RlSox3b、RlSox3c、RlSox11、RlSox14 和RlSox21.所获序列无性别差异,经系统发生分析发现分属于大绿蛙Sox家族的B 和C 亚族.其中RlSox3基因出现多拷贝,为Sox基因家族进化的DDC(duplication-degeneration-complementation)模式提供了一定的分子证据.结合GenBank中已登录的31个Sox基因氨基酸序列,使用MEGA 3.0软件构建NJ (neighbor-joining) 系统发生树,讨论了Sox基因的系统发生历程.     

中缅树鼩三个多潜能基因cDNA片段的克隆和序列分析

该实验从中缅树鼩(Tupaia belangeri)组织中成功克隆Klf4、Sox2和c-Myc基因的部分序列,长度分别为382、612和485bp,分别编码127、204和161个氨基酸。树鼩的Klf4、Sox2和c-Myc序列与人相应序列的相似性分别为89%、98%和89%。将树鼩Klf4、Sox2和c-Myc基因分别与其他物种的这3个基因进行系统进化分析,发现Klf4和Sox2基因所构建的系统进化树结构较为一致,但与c-Myc所构建的系统进化树有所不同,表明这些基因在进化上存在差异。Klf4、Sox2和c-Myc基因的克隆为进一步研究其功能奠定了基础。     

野生中国大鲵Sox基因的克隆与序列分析

Sox基因家族是一类编码转录因子的基因家族,其产物具有一个HMG-box基序保守区,调节动物的性别决定与分化过程,并参与多种器官的发育。参照人SRY基因HMG-box保守区序列及有关文献,设计一对简并引物,PCR扩增了野生雌性中国大鲵（Andrias davidianus）基因组DNA,结果得到了一条长约220 bp的产物片段;菌落PCR扩增结果表明,克隆后的白色菌落中90%以上都是阳性克隆;通过SSCP技术筛选到3种有差异的阳性克隆,进行测序,获得了3个Sox基因：Sox4a、Sox4b与Sox14。对所得序列进行序列比对和聚类分析,结果显示该基因在分子进化上具有高度的保守性。对中国大鲵Sox基因的研究,目前国内外尚未见报道。为研究中国大鲵性别决定机制以及Sox基因进化提供了分子遗传学资料。     

翘嘴鲌Sox9基因的克隆及CpG岛甲基化与基因表达的关系

为了揭示翘嘴鲌(Culter alburnus)性别决定与分化的作用机制, 进而更好地发展性别控制育种技术, 研究重点分析了Sox9基因在翘嘴鲌性腺分化过程中的作用。通过RT-PCR和RACE方法获得了翘嘴鲌2个旁系同源基因Sox9a和Sox9b的cDNA序列: Sox9a全长1642 bp, 编码458个氨基酸; Sox9b全长1673 bp, 编码456个氨基酸。序列分析表明两者相似度达到73.95%, 编码HMG盒区域极其保守。蛋白质次级结构预测显示Sox9a和Sox9b除了保守的HMG盒结构域外, 还存在2个核定位信号; 两者的三维结构都存在多个螺旋结构。系统进化树分析发现翘嘴鲌Sox9a与罗非鱼关系最近, 但Sox9b形成单独的一支。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了翘嘴鲌Sox9a和Sox9b基因在各成体组织中的表达水平, 结果显示Sox9a在脑和精巢中表达量最高, 其次是肌肉、鳍条、眼睛和卵巢, 在肾脏、脾脏、肝脏中相对较低; Sox9b只在脑、鳍条、眼睛和精巢中检测到一定水平的表达。通过重亚硫酸氢盐DNA测序方法分析了翘嘴鲌性腺组织Sox9a启动子CpG岛甲基化修饰模式, 结果显示在精巢中CG位点几乎不发生甲基化, 然而卵巢中的甲基化程度非常高。这些结果表明启动子CpG甲基化可以调控Sox9a的性别异形表达, 表观遗传修饰在翘嘴鲌性腺发育过程中可能具有重要的生物学功能。     

黑麂线粒体基因组序列分析

采用PCR产物直接测序方法测定了黑麂线粒体基因组全序列 ,初步分析了其基因组特点并定位了各基因的位置 .结果显示 :黑麂的线粒体基因组全序列长度为 1 6 35 7bp ,可编码 2 2种tRNA、2种rRNA、1 3种蛋白质 ,碱基组成及基因位置与小麂、赤麂和其它哺乳类动物的线粒体基因组相似 ;模拟电子酶切图谱与先前的报道基本一致 ;基于细胞色素b的全基因序列 ,分别以最大简约法、N J法、最大似然数法与其它 1 4种鹿类动物的相应序列进行了聚类分析 ,构建出相似的系统进化树 :初步确定了麂亚科动物在鹿科中处于与鹿亚科、北美鹿亚科并列的进化地位 .在此基础上 ,进一步以黑麂、赤麂、小麂的线粒体编码RNA和编码蛋白质的基因序列构建系统进化树 ,分析了三者的亲缘关系 .结果表明 :黑麂和赤麂亲缘关系较近 ,是较新的物种 ,而小麂是较为原始的物种     

斑点叉尾鮰Cbx基因家族的全基因组鉴定与进化分析

利用Cbx家族基因高度保守的Chromo结构域氨基酸序列作为种子序列,检索斑点叉尾鮰(Ictalurus punetaus)基因组注释的蛋白数据库,共鉴定分离出14个Cbx基因。并在全基因组水平对斑点叉尾鮰Cbx基因家族进行了保守结构域序列、进化、基因结构、染色体定位的系统分析。本研究中鉴定出的斑点叉尾鮰Cbx家族基因蛋白序列与已知的人类、小鼠、鸡、斑马鱼等物种Cbx蛋白序列构建系统进化树。根据系统进化树分析结果,14个斑点叉尾鮰Cbx基因分成两个亚族,5个隶属于Hp1s亚族,9个隶属于PcGs亚族。Cbx基因主要分布于斑点叉尾鮰7条染色体中,且呈不均匀分布。本研究对于后续斑点叉尾鮰Cbx基因家族深入的功能验证及分子作用机制研究具有重要的意义,也为日益丰富的水产基因组资源的挖掘利用提供了参考。     

斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达及其对不同环境刺激的响应

研究获得了斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的cDNA,进行了序列比对和系统进化分析,并采用实时定量RT-PCR（qPCR）方法研究了其表达模式及对不同环境刺激的转录反应。研究发现,斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b是由基因复制产生的旁系同源基因,具有高度保守的DNA结合结构域和配体结合结构域。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达模式具有明显的差别。nr1d4a在胚胎发育早期的表达量很低,72 hpf时开始显著升高;而nr1d4b具有较高水平的母源性表达,6 hpf时的表达量明显降低,但也在72 hpf显著回升。nr1d4a在脑和肾脏中表达量最高,其次是鳃、卵巢、精巢和眼,在肝脏中的表达量最低;nr1d4b在卵巢中表达量最高,其次是精巢和脑,在肠道和心脏中表达量最低。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b都能被多种环境刺激瞬时诱导表达。16℃低温处理0.5h就能显著诱导斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达,但处理6h后其诱导效应开始下降并逐渐消失。除低温外,重金属（2 mol/L镉）、缺氧（5%氧气）和盐度（5）处理均能瞬时诱导nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达,说明nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因可能参与斑马鱼对多种环境刺激的适应性反应。研究为深入揭示鱼类nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的生物学功能及其表达调控机制奠定了基础。       

斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达及其对不同环境刺激的响应简

研究获得了斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的cDNA,进行了序列比对和系统进化分析,并采用实时定量RT-PCR(qPCR)方法研究了其表达模式及对不同环境刺激的转录反应。研究发现,斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b是由基因复制产生的旁系同源基因,具有高度保守的DNA结合结构域和配体结合结构域。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达模式具有明显的差别。nr1d4a在胚胎发育早期的表达量很低,72 hpf时开始显著升高;而nr1d4b具有较高水平的母源性表达,6 hpf时的表达量明显降低,但也在72 hpf显著回升。nr1d4a在脑和肾脏中表达量最高,其次是鳃、卵巢、精巢和眼,在肝脏中的表达量最低;nr1d4b在卵巢中表达量最高,其次是精巢和脑,在肠道和心脏中表达量最低。斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b都能被多种环境刺激瞬时诱导表达。16℃低温处理0.5h就能显著诱导斑马鱼nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的表达,但处理6h后其诱导效应开始下降并逐渐消失。除低温外,重金属(2μmol/L镉)、缺氧(5%氧气)和盐度(5‰)处理均能瞬时诱导nr1d4a和nr1d4b的表达,说明nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因可能参与斑马鱼对多种环境刺激的适应性反应。研究为深入揭示鱼类nr1d4a和nr1d4b基因的生物学功能及其表达调控机制奠定了基础。     

斑马鱼IRF11基因的鉴定、亚细胞定位及表达特征

早期的研究表明IRF11是鱼类特有的IRF家族成员。查询最近解析的斑马鱼第九版基因组时,发现斑马鱼IRF1和IRF11命名出现了混乱。通过对脊椎动物IRF1和IRF11基因位点进行同线型分析表明,IRF11与IRF1是两个不同的基因,不宜命名为IRF1b和IRF1a。系统进化树分析发现,在脊椎动物中IRF11基因比IRF1起源更早;两栖类以后的脊椎动物基因组只有IRF1,没有IRF11,其中原因可能是因为基因丢失。斑马鱼IRF11与脊椎动物IRF1一样,其表达蛋白定位在细胞核中。缺失分析揭示斑马鱼IRF11的DBD有一个能引导蛋白定位进入细胞核的序列。表达分析发现poly（I:C）能诱导斑马鱼IRF11的表达,但其表达水平低于IRF1。     

脊椎动物趋化因子受体CXCR基因分化研究

为了探讨脊椎动物CXCR(CXC chemokine receptor)在基因组上进化和分化的规律,采用生物信息学软件绘制了脊椎动物7个CXCR的基因结构图,分析了它们的系统进化关系,研究这些受体在不同物种基因同源性.结果表明,脊椎动物CXCR 7个成员在进化上发生了不同程度地分化.人、鼠、蜥蜴CXCR1和CXCR2在同一条染色体上,蛋白相似率很高,在进化树上混杂聚集在一起,形成CXCR1/2;而硬骨鱼类CXCR1和CXCR2发生了分化,形成了单独的CXCR1和CXCR2.鱼类CXCR3分化为3个基因,其中CXCR3b1、CXCR3b2与其他脊椎动物CXCR3同源性较高,聚集在一起,而CXCR3a分化较大.脊椎动物CXCR5和CXCR6基因较保守,基因同源性高.CXCR4和CXCR7在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类和两栖类均仅一个基因,但在硬骨鱼类中它们各自分化为2个基因.CXCR4和CXCR7位于同一条染色体上.鱼类CXCR4a和CXCR7a与其他脊椎动物CXCR4和CXCR7基因同源性较高.而CXCR4b和CXCR7b这两个基因无论是从基因结构还是基因同源性上都发生了一定程度的分化.     

Sox genes in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) with their implications for genome duplication and evolution

The Sox gene family is found in a broad range of animal taxa and encodes important gene regulatory proteins involved in a variety of developmental processes. We have obtained clones representing the HMG boxes of twelve Sox genes from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), one of the four major domestic carps in China. The cloned Sox genes belong to group B1, B2 and C. Our analyses show that whereas the human genome contains a single copy of Sox4, Sox11 and Sox14, each of these genes has two co-orthologs in grass carp, and the duplication of Sox4 and Sox11 occurred before the divergence of grass carp and zebrafish, which support the "fish-specific whole-genome duplication" theory. An estimation for the origin of grass carp based on the molecular clock using Sox1, Sox3 and Sox11 genes as markers indicates that grass carp (subfamily Leuciscinae) and zebrafish (subfamily Danioninae) diverged approximately 60 million years ago. The potential uses of Sox genes as markers in revealing the evolutionary history of grass carp are discussed.     

Comparative genome mapping reveals evidence of gene conversion between Sox9 paralogs of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Considerable evidence suggests that one genome duplication event preceded the divergence of teleost fishes and a second genome duplication event occurred before the radiation of teleosts of the family Salmonidae. Two Sox9 genes have been isolated from a number of teleosts and are called Sox9a and Sox9b. Two Sox9 gene copies have also been isolated from rainbow trout, a salmonid fish and are called Sox9 and Sox9α2. Previous evaluations of the evolutionary history of rainbow trout Sox9 gene copies using phylogenetic reconstructions of their coding regions indicated that they both belong to the Sox9b clade. In this study, we determine the true evolutionary history of Sox9 gene copies in rainbow trout. We show that the locus referred to as Sox9 in rainbow trout is itself duplicated. Mapping of the duplicated Sox9 gene copies indicates that they are co-orthologs of Sox9b while mapping of Sox9α2 indicates that it is an ortholog of Sox9a. This relationship is supported by phylogenetic reconstruction of Sox9 gene copies in teleosts using their 3′ untranslated regions. The conflicting phylogenetic topology of Sox9 genes in rainbow trout indicates the occurrence of gene conversion events between Sox9 and Sox9α2 which is supported by a number of recombination analyses.     

Evolutionary history of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes in Lotus,Medicago, and Phaseolus

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) genes encode proteins that mediate various signaling pathways associated with biotic and abiotic stress responses in eukaryotes. The MAPK genes form a 3-tier signal transduction cascade between cellular stimuli and physiological responses. Recent identification of soybean MAPKs and availability of genome sequences from other legume species allowed us to identify their MAPK genes. The main objectives of this study were to identify MAPKs in 3 legume species, Lotus japonicus, Medicago truncatula, and Phaseolus vulgaris, and to assess their phylogenetic relationships. We used approaches in comparative genomics for MAPK gene identification and named the newly identified genes following Arabidopsis MAPK nomenclature model. We identified 19, 18, and 15 MAPKs and 7, 4, and 9 MAPKKs in the genome of Lotus japonicus, Medicago truncatula, and Phaseolus vulgaris, respectively. Within clade placement of MAPKs and MAPKKs in the 3 legume species were consistent with those in soybean and Arabidopsis. Among 5 clades of MAPKs, 4 founder clades were consistent to MAPKs of other plant species and orthologs of MAPK genes in the fifth clade-"Clade E" were consistent with those in soybean. Our results also indicated that some gene duplication events might have occurred prior to eudicot-monocot divergence. Highly diversified MAPKs in soybean relative to those in 3 other legume species are attributable to the polyploidization events in soybean. The identification of the MAPK genes in the legume species is important for the legume crop improvement; and evolutionary relationships and functional divergence of these gene members provide insights into plant genome evolution.     

Phylogenetic Timing of the Fish-Specific Genome Duplication Correlates with the Diversification of Teleost Fish

For many genes, ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) have two paralogous copies, where only one ortholog is present in tetrapods. The discovery of an additional, almost-complete set of Hox clusters in teleosts (zebrafish, pufferfish, medaka, and cichlid) but not in basal actinopterygian lineages (Polypterus) led to the formulation of the fish-specific genome duplication hypothesis. The phylogenetic timing of this genome duplication during the evolution of ray-finned fish is unknown, since only a few species of basal fish lineages have been investigated so far. In this study, three nuclear genes (fzd8, sox11, tyrosinase) were sequenced from sturgeons (Acipenseriformes), gars (Semionotiformes), bony tongues (Osteoglossomorpha), and a tenpounder (Elopomorpha). For these three genes, two copies have been described previously teleosts (e.g., zebrafish, pufferfish), but only one orthologous copy is found in tetrapods. Individual gene trees for these three genes and a concatenated dataset support the hypothesis that the fish-specific genome duplication event took place after the split of the Acipenseriformes and the Semionotiformes from the lineage leading to teleost fish but before the divergence of Osteoglossiformes. If these three genes were duplicated during the proposed fish-specific genome duplication event, then this event separates the species-poor early-branching lineages from the species-rich teleost lineage. The additional number of genes resulting from this event might have facilitated the evolutionary radiation and the phenotypic diversification of the teleost fish.[Reviewing Editor: Martin Kreitman]     

Phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis of the septin protein family in metazoan

Septins, a conserved family of cytoskeletal GTP-binding proteins, were presented in diverse eukaryotes. Here, a comprehensive phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis for septin proteins in metazoan was carried out. First, we demonstrated that all septin proteins in metazoan could be clustered into four subgroups, and the representative homologue of every subgroup was presented in the non-vertebrate chordate Ciona intestinalis, indicating that the emergence of the four septin subgroups should have occurred prior to divergence of vertebrates and invertebrates, and the expansion of the septin gene number in vertebrates was mainly by the duplication of pre-existing genes rather than by the appearance of new septin subgroup. Second, the direct orthologues of most human septins existed in zebrafish, which suggested that human septin gene repertoire was mainly formed by as far as before the split between fishes and land vertebrates. Third, we found that the evolutionary rate within septin family in mammalian lineage varies significantly, human SEPT1, SEPT 10, SEPT 12, and SEPT 14 displayed a relative elevated evolutionary rate compared with other septin members. Our data will provide new insights for the further function study of this protein family.