Molecular Biology and Evolution, Vol 5, 442-454, Copyright © 1988 by Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution
J Tseng-Crank, C Schonfeld and FG Berger
To gain information on the evolution of mammalian gene expression patterns,
we studied the androgen-inducible expression of three kidney mRNAs in
several mouse species (genus Mus). The RP2, ornithine decarboxylase, and
beta-glucuronidase mRNAs have each evolved independently, in that the
pattern of variation among species is unique for each. This suggests a role
for gene-specific, cis-acting genetic elements. Relationships between the
regulatory phenotypes and the species phylogeny suggest that the variations
in hormone-inducible mRNA expression were generated by a series of
independent mutations that occurred in specific lineages, resulting in
modifications of the progenitor phenotype. Alternatively, the variations
may have preexisted within the progenitor population as polymorphisms that
were fixed during establishment of individual lineages. Thus, significant
alterations in the androgen-regulated mRNA phenotype have occurred either
prior to or during speciation within the Mus genus. These alterations are
presumed to be in regulatory sequences that control the expression of the
corresponding genes and their response to testosterone; as such, they
should be useful in further studying the genetic determinants of gene
expression and its evolution.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Evolution of androgen-regulated mRNA expression in mouse kidney
Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208.
![]()
CiteULike
Connotea
Del.icio.us What's this?