Abstract
A comparative genomics approach revealed that the genes for several components of the apoptosis network with single copies in vertebrates have multiple paralogs in cnidarian-bilaterian ancestors, suggesting a complex evolutionary history for this network.
Highlights
Apoptosis, one of the main types of programmed cell death, is regulated and performed by a complex protein network
The assumption that the major expansion of the apoptotic networks is specific to vertebrates was challenged by the results of several studies of individual protein families [16], such as the presence of multiple Bax- and Bak-like sequences in the cnidarian Hydra magnipapillata [17], but the assumption was laid to rest by the analysis of the recently sequenced sea urchin genome, which showed that many groups of proteins related to apoptosis underwent major expansion in this organism compared to C. elegans, and to vertebrates (Table 1) [12,18]
The origin of the major expansion of the apoptosis network was moved back in time even further by the analysis of the genome of the morphologically simplest metazoan sequenced to date, the cnidarian N. vectensis
Summary
One of the main types of programmed cell death, is regulated and performed by a complex protein network. Mostly in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, identified a relatively simple apoptotic network consisting of only a few proteins. Apoptosis is the best-known type of programmed cell death and plays important roles in development and homeostasis as well as in the pathogenesis of many diseases [1,2]. Classical studies on apoptosis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans identified at first three (CED-3, CED-4, CED-9) and later a fourth protein (EGL-1) to be directly involved in apoptosis [3]. Genome Biology 2007, Volume 8, Issue 10, Article R226 Zmasek et al R226.2 Bcl-2 family Adaptors N. vectensis Cnidaria ?
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