Evolution of Retinoic Acid Receptors in Vertebrates
Author Information
Author(s): Escriva Hector, Bertrand Stéphanie, Germain Pierre, Robinson-Rechavi Marc, Umbhauer Muriel, Cartry Jérôme, Duffraisse Marilyne, Holland Linda, Gronemeyer Hinrich, Laudet Vincent
Primary Institution: Structure and Evolution of Nuclear Hormone Receptors, UMR 5161 du CNRS, INRA LA 1237, Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire de la Cellule, IFR128 BioSciences Lyon-Gerland, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France
Hypothesis
How has gene duplication affected the expression and ligand-binding specificity of retinoic acid receptors in vertebrates?
Conclusion
The study suggests that while RARβ retained the ancestral role, RARα and RARγ diverged in both ligand-binding capacity and expression patterns.
Supporting Evidence
- All chordate RARs, including a reconstructed ancestral RAR, can transactivate in a dose-dependent manner with ATRA.
- RARβ expression has remained most similar to that of the ancestral RAR.
- Neofunctionalization occurred at both the expression and functional levels to shape RAR roles during vertebrate development.
Takeaway
Scientists studied how certain genes changed in fish and other animals over time. They found that one gene kept its old job while others took on new ones.
Methodology
The study involved pharmacological assays to investigate ligand-binding capacities of RARs from various chordate species.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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