Evolution of fucosyltransferase genes in vertebrates

J Biol Chem. 1997 Nov 21;272(47):29721-8. doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.47.29721.

Abstract

Cloning and expression of chimpanzee FUT3, FUT5, and FUT6 genes confirmed the hypothesis that the gene duplications at the origin of the present human cluster of genes occurred between: (i) the great mammalian radiation 80 million years ago and (ii) the separation of man and chimpanzee 10 million years ago. The phylogeny of fucosyltransferase genes was completed by the addition of the FUT8 family of alpha(1,6)fucosyltransferase genes, which are the oldest genes of the fucosyltransferase family. By analysis of data banks, a new FUT8 alternative splice expressed in human retina was identified, which allowed mapping the human FUT8 gene to 14q23. The results suggest that the fucosyltransferase genes have evolved by successive duplications, followed by translocations, and divergent evolution from a single ancestral gene.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • COS Cells
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14*
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics*
  • Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
  • Gene Library
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pan troglodytes
  • Phylogeny
  • Point Mutation
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • Fucosyltransferases
  • galactoside 3-fucosyltransferase
  • 3-galactosyl-N-acetylglucosaminide 4-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/Y14033
  • GENBANK/Y14034
  • GENBANK/Y14035