Comparative Analysis of Serine/Arginine-Rich Proteins across 27 Eukaryotes: Insights into Sub-Family Classification and Extent of Alternative Splicing
2011

Comparative Analysis of SR Proteins in Eukaryotes

Sample size: 27 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Richardson Dale N., Rogers Mark F., Labadorf Adam, Ben-Hur Asa, Guo Hui, Paterson Andrew H., Reddy Anireddy S. N.

Hypothesis

How many sub-families comprise the SR gene family across eukaryotes?

Conclusion

The study found that the SR gene family can be divided into five major groups and 11 distinct sub-families, with flowering plants having a significantly higher number of SR genes than vertebrates.

Supporting Evidence

  • 272 SR genes were identified and classified into robust sub-families.
  • Most flowering plants have nearly double the number of SR genes compared to vertebrates.
  • Alternative splicing of SR genes is widespread across multiple eukaryotic lineages.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a family of proteins that help with gene splicing in different organisms and found that plants have a lot more of these proteins than animals.

Methodology

The researchers analyzed genomic and cDNA sequences from 27 eukaryotic species to classify SR proteins and assess alternative splicing.

Limitations

The study may not cover all eukaryotic lineages and relies on available genomic data, which can vary in completeness.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0024542

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