Recruitment of old genes to new functions: evidences obtained by comparing the orthologues of human XLMR genes in mouse and chicken
Date
2007
Authors
Kohn, Matthias
Kehrer-Sawatzki, Hildegard
Steinbach, Peter
Graves, Jennifer
Hameister, Horst
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S Karger AG
Abstract
Gene mapping data indicate that the human X chromosome is enriched in genes that affect both, higher cognitive efficiency and reproductive success. This raises the question whether these functions are ancient, or whether conserved X-linked genes were recruited to new functions. We have studied three X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) genes by RNA in situ hybridization in mouse and in chicken, in which these genes are autosomal: Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 6 (ARHGEF6), oligophrenin (OPHN1), and p21 activated kinase 3 (PAK3). In the mouse these genes are specifically expressed in telencephalic regions. Their orthologues in the chicken gave patterns of similar specificity in ancient parts of the brain, i.e. cerebellum and mesencephalon, but were not expressed in the telencephalon. Also in the testes, specific expression was only found in mouse, not in chicken. These data are interpreted such that certain genes on the X chromosome gained novel functions during evolution.
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Keywords: oligophrenin; p21 activated kinase 3; protein; Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 6; unclassified drug; x linked mental retardation protein; animal experiment; animal tissue; article; chicken; controlled study; embryo; gene expression; gene function;
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Cytogenetic and Genome Research
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Journal article
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2037-12-31
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