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Evolution of the interferon alpha gene family in eutherian mammals

Evolution of the interferon alpha gene family in eutherian mammals
Evolution of the interferon alpha gene family in eutherian mammals
Interferon alpha (IFNA) genes code for proteins with important signaling roles during the innate immune response. Phylogenetically, IFNA family members in eutherians (placental mammals) cluster together in a species-specific manner except for closely related species (i.e. Homo sapiens and Pan troglodytes) where gene-specific clustering is evident. Previous research has been unable to clarify whether gene conversion or recent gene duplication accounts for gene-specific clustering, partly because the similarity of members of the IFNA family within species has made it historically difficult to identify the exact composition of IFNA gene families. IFNA gene families were fully characterized in recently available genomes from Canis familiaris, Macaca mulatta, P. troglodytes and Rattus norvegicus, and combined with previously characterized IFNA gene families from H. sapiens and Mus musculus, for the analysis of both whole and partial gene conversion events using a variety of statistical methods. Gene conversion was inferred in every eutherian species analyzed and comparison of the IFNA gene family locus between primate species revealed independent gene duplication in M. mulatta. Thus, both gene conversion and gene duplication have shaped the evolution of the IFNA gene family in eutherian species. Scenarios may be envisaged whereby the increased production of a specific IFN-? protein would be beneficial against a particular pathogenic infection. Gene conversion, similar to duplication, provides a mechanism by which the protein product of a specific IFNA gene can be increased.
interferon alpha, gene conversion, gene duplication, innate immunity
0378-1119
38-50
Woelk, C.H.
4d3af0fd-658f-4626-b3b5-49a6192bcf7d
Frost, S.D.W.
4664d117-e177-48d1-8951-030014c61f0e
Richman, D.D.
1d5f38e4-c778-4b0b-b542-9d1160e63041
Higley, P.E.
c7b5ba6c-0449-4188-95c2-f79e73667604
Kosakovsky Pond, S.L.
b80f6d16-0c4f-4577-9cbb-7e8f65a0c70d
Woelk, C.H.
4d3af0fd-658f-4626-b3b5-49a6192bcf7d
Frost, S.D.W.
4664d117-e177-48d1-8951-030014c61f0e
Richman, D.D.
1d5f38e4-c778-4b0b-b542-9d1160e63041
Higley, P.E.
c7b5ba6c-0449-4188-95c2-f79e73667604
Kosakovsky Pond, S.L.
b80f6d16-0c4f-4577-9cbb-7e8f65a0c70d

Woelk, C.H., Frost, S.D.W., Richman, D.D., Higley, P.E. and Kosakovsky Pond, S.L. (2007) Evolution of the interferon alpha gene family in eutherian mammals. Gene, 397 (1-2), 38-50. (doi:10.1016/j.gene.2007.03.018).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Interferon alpha (IFNA) genes code for proteins with important signaling roles during the innate immune response. Phylogenetically, IFNA family members in eutherians (placental mammals) cluster together in a species-specific manner except for closely related species (i.e. Homo sapiens and Pan troglodytes) where gene-specific clustering is evident. Previous research has been unable to clarify whether gene conversion or recent gene duplication accounts for gene-specific clustering, partly because the similarity of members of the IFNA family within species has made it historically difficult to identify the exact composition of IFNA gene families. IFNA gene families were fully characterized in recently available genomes from Canis familiaris, Macaca mulatta, P. troglodytes and Rattus norvegicus, and combined with previously characterized IFNA gene families from H. sapiens and Mus musculus, for the analysis of both whole and partial gene conversion events using a variety of statistical methods. Gene conversion was inferred in every eutherian species analyzed and comparison of the IFNA gene family locus between primate species revealed independent gene duplication in M. mulatta. Thus, both gene conversion and gene duplication have shaped the evolution of the IFNA gene family in eutherian species. Scenarios may be envisaged whereby the increased production of a specific IFN-? protein would be beneficial against a particular pathogenic infection. Gene conversion, similar to duplication, provides a mechanism by which the protein product of a specific IFNA gene can be increased.

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More information

Published date: August 2007
Keywords: interferon alpha, gene conversion, gene duplication, innate immunity
Organisations: Clinical & Experimental Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 352764
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/352764
ISSN: 0378-1119
PURE UUID: 2bf779c8-8f30-4335-8fb1-25e108d6f02e

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Date deposited: 04 Jun 2013 15:04
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 13:55

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Contributors

Author: C.H. Woelk
Author: S.D.W. Frost
Author: D.D. Richman
Author: P.E. Higley
Author: S.L. Kosakovsky Pond

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