Rapid evolution of two odorant-binding protein genes, Obp57d and Obp57e, in the Drosophila melanogaster species group.

ABSTRACT: Genes encoding odorant-binding protein (OBP) form a large family in an insect genome. Two OBP genes, Obp57d and Obp57e, were previously identified to be involved in host-plant recognition in Drosophila sechellia. Here, by comparing the genomic sequences at the Obp57d/e locus from 27 Drosophila species, we found large differences in gene number between species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Obp57d and Obp57e in the D. melanogaster species group arose by gene duplication of an ancestral OBP gene that remains single in the obscura species group. Further gain and loss of OBP genes were observed in several lineages in the melanogaster group. Site-specific analysis of evolutionary rate suggests that Obp57d and Obp57e have functionally diverged from each other. Thus, there are two classes o

SUBMITTER: Matsuo T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2248334 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature