Molecular Biology and Evolution, Vol 13, 1012-1022, Copyright © 1996 by Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
SJ Cooper, R Murphy, G Dolman, D Hussey and RM Hope
Beta-globin gene families in eutherians (placental mammals) consist of a
set of four or more developmentally regulated genes which are closely
linked and, in general, arranged in the order 5'-embryonic/fetal genes-
adult genes-3'. This cluster of genes is proposed to have arisen by tandem
duplication of ancestral beta-globin genes, with the first duplication
occurring 200 to 155 MYBP just prior to a period in mammalian evolution
when eutherians and marsupials diverged from a common ancestor. In this
paper we trace the evolutionary history of the beta-globin gene family back
to the origins of these mammals by molecular characterization of the
beta-globin gene family of the Australian marsupial Sminthopsis
crassicaudata. Using Southern and restriction analysis of total genomic DNA
and bacteriophage clones of beta-like globin genes, we provide evidence
that just two functional beta-like globin genes exist in this marsupial,
including one embryonic- expressed gene (S.c-epsilon) and one
adult-expressed gene (S.c-beta), linked in the order 5'-epsilon-beta-3'.
The entire DNA sequence of the adult beta-globin gene is reported and shown
to be orthologous to the adult beta-globin genes of the North American
marsupial Didelphis virginiana and eutherian mammals. These results,
together with results from a phylogenetic analysis of mammalian beta-like
globin genes, confirm the hypothesis that a two-gene cluster, containing an
embryonic- and an adult-expressed beta-like globin gene, existed in the
most recent common ancester of marsupials and eutherians. Northern analysis
of total RNA isolated from embryos and neonatals indicates that a switch
from embryonic to adult gene expression occurs at the time of birth,
coinciding with the transfer of the marsupial from a uterus to a pouch
environment.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
A molecular and evolutionary study of the beta-globin gene family of the Australian marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata
Department of Genetics, University of Adelaide, Australia. scooper@genetics.adelaide.edu.au
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