Evolution of the Karyopherin-β Family of Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Factors
Author Information
Author(s): O'Reilly Amanda J., Dacks Joel B., Field Mark C.
Primary Institution: Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge
Hypothesis
Was Karyopherin-β diversity established early in eukaryotic evolution or layered onto a conserved nuclear pore complex?
Conclusion
At least fifteen Karyopherin-β subfamilies were established early in eukaryote evolution, suggesting multiple pathways for nucleocytoplasmic transport were present before the radiation of modern eukaryotes.
Supporting Evidence
- Thirty-six predicted proteomes were scanned for candidate KAP-β family members.
- Fifteen KAP-β subfamilies were identified, suggesting an ancient presence in eukaryotes.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed evolutionary relationships between different KAP-β subfamilies.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a family of proteins that help transport things in and out of cells, finding that many types of these proteins have been around for a long time and have changed over time.
Methodology
The study involved scanning 36 predicted proteomes for Karyopherin-β sequences and performing phylogenetic analysis to classify them into subfamilies.
Limitations
The study may not have captured all Karyopherin-β sequences, particularly highly diverged ones.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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