Diversification and adaptive sequence evolution of Caenorhabditis lysozymes (Nematoda: Rhabditidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lysozymes are important model enzymes in biomedical research with a ubiquitous taxonomic distribution ranging from phages up to plants and animals. Their main function appears to be defence against pathogens, although some of them have also been implicated in digestion. Whereas most organisms have only few lysozyme genes, nematodes of the genus Caenorhabditis possess a surprisingly large repertoire of up to 15 genes.

Results

We used phylogenetic inference and sequence analysis tools to assess the evolution of lysozymes from three congeneric nematode species, Caenorhabditis elegans, C. briggsae, and C. remanei. Their lysozymes fall into three distinct clades, one belonging to the invertebrate-type and the other two to the protist-type lysozymes. Their diversificati

SUBMITTER: Schulenburg H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2383907 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature