Tunicates have a complex, highly dynamic TNF superfamily.

ABSTRACT: Genes of the Tumor Necrosis Factor Superfamily (TNFSF) encode proteins with critical roles in cell signaling in animals, particularly in immunity and development. The evolution of the TNF superfamily remains poorly understood. This study demonstrates that tunicates possess a much more complex TNF superfamily than previously assumed. Some species have a large number of TNFSF genes, up to 14, due to frequent, independent tandem duplications. Significantly, this number exceeds that observed in many vertebrates (e.g., all characterized cyclostomes, as well as some birds and reptiles). As in vertebrates, the TNF superfamily of tunicates is capable of rapid evolutionary change. All 24 model tunicate species analyzed have different sets of TNFSF genes and even closely related species often have q

SUBMITTER: Marin I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12843592 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature