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Rapid sequence and expression divergence suggest selection for novel function in primate-specific KRAB-ZNF genes.

ABSTRACT: Recent segmental duplications (SDs), arising from duplication events that occurred within the past 35-40 My, have provided a major resource for the evolution of proteins with primate-specific functions. KRAB zinc finger (KRAB-ZNF) transcription factor genes are overrepresented among genes contained within these recent human SDs. Here, we examine the structural and functional diversity of the 70 human KRAB-ZNF genes involved in the most recent primate SD events including genes that arose in the hominid lineage. Despite their recent advent, many parent-daughter KRAB-ZNF gene pairs display significant differences in zinc finger structure and sequence, expression, and splicing patterns, each of which could significantly alter the regulatory functions of the paralogous genes. Paralogs that emerged on the lineage to humans and chimpanzees have undergone more evolutionary changes per unit of time than genes already present in the common ancestor of rhesus macaques and great apes. Taken together, these data indicate that a substantial fraction of the recently evolved primate-specific KRAB-ZNF gene duplicates have acquired novel functions that may possibly define novel regulatory pathways and suggest an active ongoing selection for regulatory diversity in primates.

SUBMITTER: Nowick K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2981486 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Rapid sequence and expression divergence suggest selection for novel function in primate-specific KRAB-ZNF genes.

Nowick Katja K Hamilton Aaron T AT Zhang Huimin H Stubbs Lisa L

Molecular biology and evolution 20100623 11

Recent segmental duplications (SDs), arising from duplication events that occurred within the past 35-40 My, have provided a major resource for the evolution of proteins with primate-specific functions. KRAB zinc finger (KRAB-ZNF) transcription factor genes are overrepresented among genes contained within these recent human SDs. Here, we examine the structural and functional diversity of the 70 human KRAB-ZNF genes involved in the most recent primate SD events including genes that arose in the h ...[more]

PMID: 20573777

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Project description:Low nucleotide divergence between human and chimpanzee does not sufficiently explain the species-specific morphological, physiological and behavioral traits. As gene duplication is a major prerequisite for the emergence of new genes and novel biological processes, comparative studies of human and chimpanzee duplicated genes may assist in understanding the mechanisms behind primate evolution. We addressed the divergence between human and chimpanzee duplicated genomic regions by using Luteinizing Hormone Beta (LHB)/Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (CGB) gene cluster as a model. The placental CGB genes that are essential for implantation have evolved from an ancestral pituitary LHB gene by duplications in the primate lineage.We shotgun sequenced and compared the human (45,165 bp) and chimpanzee (39,876 bp) LHB/CGB regions and hereby present evidence for structural variation resulting in discordant number of CGB genes (6 in human, 5 in chimpanzee). The scenario of species-specific parallel duplications was supported (i) as the most parsimonious solution requiring the least rearrangement events to explain the interspecies structural differences; (ii) by the phylogenetic trees constructed with fragments of intergenic regions; (iii) by the sequence similarity calculations. Across the orthologous regions of LHB/CGB cluster, substitutions and indels contributed approximately equally to the interspecies divergence and the distribution of nucleotide identity was correlated with the regional repeat content. Intraspecies gene conversion may have shaped the LHB/CGB gene cluster. The substitution divergence (1.8-2.59%) exceeded two-three fold the estimates for single-copy loci and the fraction of transversional mutations was increased compared to the unique sequences (43% versus approximately 30%). Despite the high sequence identity among LHB/CGB genes, there are signs of functional differentiation among the gene copies. Estimates for dn/ds rate ratio suggested a purifying selection on LHB and CGB8, and a positive evolution of CGB1.If generalized, our data suggests that in addition to species-specific deletions and duplications, parallel duplication events may have contributed to genetic differences separating humans from their closest relatives. Compared to unique genomic segments, duplicated regions are characterized by high divergence promoted by intraspecies gene conversion and species-specific chromosomal rearrangements, including the alterations in gene copy number.

Project description:KAP1 is overexpressed in breast cancer. To determine KAP1 regulated genes, we performed microarray analysis of gene expression in KAP1 depleted breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231LN. The transcriptional regulator TRIM28/KAP1 plays an important role in development, stem cell self-renewal, chromatin organization and the DNA damage response. KAP1 is an essential co-repressor for KRAB zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZNFs). Though KRAB-ZNFs represent the largest family of human transcription factors, their biological functions are largely unknown. Using the conserved zinc fingers linker region (ZnFL) as antigen, we have developed a ZnFL antibody that recognizes multiple KRAB-ZNFs. We showed that KAP1 and many KRAB-ZNFs were overexpressed in human breast cancers and breast cancer cell lines. In addition, an active SUMOylated form of KAP1 was markedly increased in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, KAP1 depletion in breast cancer cell lines reduced cell proliferation and inhibited tumor growth and metastasis of tumor xenografts. Conversely, KAP1 overexpression stimulated cell proliferation and tumor growth. KAP1 knockdown led to down-regulation of genes previously linked to tumor progression and metastasis, including PTGS2/COX2, EREG, CD44, MMP1 and MMP2. Interestingly, KAP1 depletion or genomic deletion led to dramatic down-regulation of multiple KRAB-ZNF proteins due in part to their increased degradation. KAP1-dependent stabilization of KRAB-ZNFs required a direct KRAB-ZNF-KAP1 interaction. These results establish KAP1 as a positive regulator of multiple KRAB-ZNFs and an important factor in the development of breast cancer. 7 total samples were analyzed. Stable sublines of MDA-MB-231LN cells expressing control non-targeting shRNA (Scr, 3 biological replicates) and two different shRNAs against KAP1 (KAP1-3, 2 biological replicates and KAP1-4, 2 biological replicates) from doxycycline-inducible pTRIPZ vector were cultured in the presence of 0.5 ug/ml doxycycline for 7 days to induce shRNA expression. Cells were lysed and total RNA was isolated using mirVana miRNA isolation kit (Ambion) in the WVU Genomics Core Facility.

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Rapid sequence and expression divergence suggest selection for novel function in primate-specific KRAB-ZNF genes.

Publications

Rapid sequence and expression divergence suggest selection for novel function in primate-specific KRAB-ZNF genes.

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