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MBE Advance Access published online on June 2, 2004
Molecular Biology and Evolution, doi:10.1093/molbev/msh178
Molecular Biology and Evolution © Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution 2004; all rights reserved
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Accepted May 26, 2004

Original Articles

Mechanisms Underlying the Evolution and Maintenance of Functionally Heterogeneous 18S rRNA Genes in Apicomplexans

Alejandro P. Rooney 1*

1 Microbial Genomics & Bioprocessing Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: rooney{at}ncaur.usda.gov.


  Abstract

In many species of the protist phylum Apicomplexa, rRNA gene copies are structurally and functionally heterogeneous due to distinct requirements for rRNA expression patterns at different developmental stages. The genomic mechanisms underlying the maintenance of this system over long-term evolutionary history are unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate what processes underlie the long-term evolution of apicomplexan18S genes in representative species. The results show that these genes evolve according to a birth-and-death model under strong purifying selection, explaining how divergent 18S genes are generated over time while continuing to maintain their ability to produce fully functional rRNAs. In addition, it was found that Cryptosporidium parvum undergoes a rapid form of birth-and-death evolution that may facilitate host-specific adaptation, including that of Type I and II strains found in humans. This represents the first case in which an rRNA gene family has been found to evolve under the birth-and-death model.

Key Words: birth-and-death, purifying selection, multigene family, rRNA


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