The Experts below are selected from a list of 10131 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Freek J Vonk - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the king cobra genome reveals dynamic Gene Evolution and adaptation in the snake venom system
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013Co-Authors: Freek J Vonk, Nicholas R Casewell, Christiaan V Henkel, Alysha Heimberg, Hans J Jansen, Ryan J R Mccleary, Harald M E KerkkampAbstract:Snakes are limbless predators, and many species use venom to help overpower relatively large, agile prey. Snake venoms are complex protein mixtures encoded by several multilocus Gene families that function synergistically to cause incapacitation. To examine venom Evolution, we sequenced and interrogated the genome of a venomous snake, the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and compared it, together with our unique transcriptome, microRNA, and proteome datasets from this species, with data from other vertebrates. In contrast to the platypus, the only other venomous vertebrate with a sequenced genome, we find that snake toxin Genes evolve through several distinct co-option mechanisms and exhibit surprisingly variable levels of Gene duplication and directional selection that correlate with their functional importance in prey capture. The enigmatic accessory venom gland shows a very different pattern of toxin Gene expression from the main venom gland and seems to have recruited toxin-like lectin Genes repeatedly for new nontoxic functions. In addition, tissue-specific microRNA analyses suggested the co-option of core Genetic regulatory components of the venom secretory system from a pancreatic origin. Although the king cobra is limbless, we recovered coding sequences for all Hox Genes involved in amniote limb development, with the exception of Hoxd12. Our results provide a unique view of the origin and Evolution of snake venom and reveal multiple genome-level adaptive responses to natural selection in this complex biological weapon system. More Generally, they provide insight into mechanisms of protein Evolution under strong selection.
Antoine Blancher - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Rh Gene Evolution in primates: Study of intron sequences
Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2000Co-Authors: P. A. Apoil, Antoine BlancherAbstract:By amplification and sequencing of RH Gene intron 4 of various primates we demonstrate that an Alu-Sx-like element has been inserted in the RH Gene of the common ancestor of humans, apes, Old World monkeys, and New World monkeys. The study of mouse and lemur intron 4 sequences allowed us to precisely define the insertion point of the Alu-Sx element in intron 4 of the RH Gene ancestor common to Anthropoidea. Like humans, chimpanzees and gorillas possess two types of RH intron 4, characterized by the presence (human RHCE and ape RHCE-like Genes) or absence (human RHD and ape RHD-like Genes) of the Alu-Sx element. This led us to conclude that in the RH common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas, a duplication of the common ancestor Gene gave rise to two Genes, one differing from the other by a 654-bp deletion encompassing an Alu-Sx element. Moreover, most of chimpanzees and some gorillas possess two types of RHD-like intron 4. The introns 4 of type 1 have a length similar to that of human RHD intron 4, whereas introns 4 of type 2 display an insertion of 12 bp. The latest insertion was not found in the human genome (72 individuals tested). The study of RH intron 3 length polymorphism confirmed that, like humans, chimpanzees and gorillas possess two types of intron 3, with the RHD-type intron 3 being 289 bases shorter than the RHCE intron 3. By amplification and sequencing of regions encompassing introns 3 and 4, we demonstrated that chimpanzee and gorilla RH-like Genes displayed associations of introns 3 and 4 distinct to those found in man. Altogether, the results demonstrate that, as in humans, chimpanzee and gorilla RH Genes experienced intergenic exchanges.
Mao Ye - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The Rh protein family: Gene Evolution, membrane biology, and disease association
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2010Co-Authors: Cheng-han Huang, Mao YeAbstract:The Rh (Rhesus) Genes encode a family of conserved proteins that share a structural fold of 12 transmembrane helices with members of the major facilitator superfamily. Interest in this family has arisen from the discovery of Rh factor’s involvement in hemolytic disease in the fetus and newborn, and of its homologs widely expressed in epithelial tissues. The Rh factor and Rh-associated glycoprotein (RhAG), with epithelial cousins RhBG and RhCG, form four subgroups conferring upon vertebrates a Genealogical commonality. The past decade has heralded significant advances in understanding the phyloGenetics, allelic diversity, crystal structure, and biological function of Rh proteins. This review describes recent progress on this family and the molecular insights gleaned from its Gene Evolution, membrane biology, and disease association. The focus is on its long Evolutionary history and surprising structural conservation from prokaryotes to humans, pointing to the importance of its functional role, related to but distinct from ammonium transport proteins.
Harald M E Kerkkamp - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the king cobra genome reveals dynamic Gene Evolution and adaptation in the snake venom system
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013Co-Authors: Freek J Vonk, Nicholas R Casewell, Christiaan V Henkel, Alysha Heimberg, Hans J Jansen, Ryan J R Mccleary, Harald M E KerkkampAbstract:Snakes are limbless predators, and many species use venom to help overpower relatively large, agile prey. Snake venoms are complex protein mixtures encoded by several multilocus Gene families that function synergistically to cause incapacitation. To examine venom Evolution, we sequenced and interrogated the genome of a venomous snake, the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and compared it, together with our unique transcriptome, microRNA, and proteome datasets from this species, with data from other vertebrates. In contrast to the platypus, the only other venomous vertebrate with a sequenced genome, we find that snake toxin Genes evolve through several distinct co-option mechanisms and exhibit surprisingly variable levels of Gene duplication and directional selection that correlate with their functional importance in prey capture. The enigmatic accessory venom gland shows a very different pattern of toxin Gene expression from the main venom gland and seems to have recruited toxin-like lectin Genes repeatedly for new nontoxic functions. In addition, tissue-specific microRNA analyses suggested the co-option of core Genetic regulatory components of the venom secretory system from a pancreatic origin. Although the king cobra is limbless, we recovered coding sequences for all Hox Genes involved in amniote limb development, with the exception of Hoxd12. Our results provide a unique view of the origin and Evolution of snake venom and reveal multiple genome-level adaptive responses to natural selection in this complex biological weapon system. More Generally, they provide insight into mechanisms of protein Evolution under strong selection.
Nicholas R Casewell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the king cobra genome reveals dynamic Gene Evolution and adaptation in the snake venom system
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013Co-Authors: Freek J Vonk, Nicholas R Casewell, Christiaan V Henkel, Alysha Heimberg, Hans J Jansen, Ryan J R Mccleary, Harald M E KerkkampAbstract:Snakes are limbless predators, and many species use venom to help overpower relatively large, agile prey. Snake venoms are complex protein mixtures encoded by several multilocus Gene families that function synergistically to cause incapacitation. To examine venom Evolution, we sequenced and interrogated the genome of a venomous snake, the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), and compared it, together with our unique transcriptome, microRNA, and proteome datasets from this species, with data from other vertebrates. In contrast to the platypus, the only other venomous vertebrate with a sequenced genome, we find that snake toxin Genes evolve through several distinct co-option mechanisms and exhibit surprisingly variable levels of Gene duplication and directional selection that correlate with their functional importance in prey capture. The enigmatic accessory venom gland shows a very different pattern of toxin Gene expression from the main venom gland and seems to have recruited toxin-like lectin Genes repeatedly for new nontoxic functions. In addition, tissue-specific microRNA analyses suggested the co-option of core Genetic regulatory components of the venom secretory system from a pancreatic origin. Although the king cobra is limbless, we recovered coding sequences for all Hox Genes involved in amniote limb development, with the exception of Hoxd12. Our results provide a unique view of the origin and Evolution of snake venom and reveal multiple genome-level adaptive responses to natural selection in this complex biological weapon system. More Generally, they provide insight into mechanisms of protein Evolution under strong selection.