Molecular Evolution of Cyclin Proteins in Animals and Fungi
Author Information
Author(s): Gunbin Konstantin V, Suslov Valentin V, Turnaev Igor I, Afonnikov Dmitry A, Kolchanov Nikolay A
Primary Institution: Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Hypothesis
The relationship between the evolution of cyclins and their function is an open issue.
Conclusion
Changes in the number and/or nature of cyclin-binding proteins may underlie the evolutionary role of alterations in the molecular structure of cyclins.
Supporting Evidence
- The analysis of atypical amino acid replacements in cyclins showed accelerated evolution during paralog duplication.
- Evolutionary flexibility of cyclin function may be provided by reorganization of regions on protein surfaces remote from CDK binding sites.
- Distinct cyclin families evolved differently across taxonomic groups.
Takeaway
This study looks at how cyclin proteins, which help control the cell cycle, have changed over time in animals and fungi, showing that their evolution is linked to their functions.
Methodology
Phylogenetic trees were constructed for cyclin proteins, and patterns of amino acid replacements were analyzed.
Limitations
The study did not include plants due to their narrow taxonomic diversity and polyploidy, making statistical analysis difficult.
Participant Demographics
54 species representing animals and fungi with completely sequenced genomes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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