The human and murine protocadherin-beta one-exon gene families show high evolutionary conservation, despite the difference in gene number

FEBS Lett. 2001 Apr 20;495(1-2):120-5. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)02372-9.

Abstract

Extensive cDNA analysis demonstrated that all human and mouse protocadherin-beta genes are one-exon genes. The protein sequences of these genes are highly conserved, especially the three most membrane-proximal extracellular domains. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that this unique gene family evolved by duplication of one single protocadherin-beta gene to 15 copies. The final difference in the number of protocadherin-beta genes in man (#19) and mouse (#22) is probably caused by duplications later in evolution. The complex relationship between human and mouse genes and the lack of pseudogenes in the mouse protocadherin-beta gene cluster suggest a species-specific evolutionary pressure for maintenance of numerous protocadherin-beta genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cadherins / genetics*
  • Conserved Sequence / genetics*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Exons
  • Gene Dosage
  • Gene Duplication
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family / genetics*
  • Phylogeny
  • Protein Precursors / genetics*
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Protein Precursors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/L43592