Duplication and Sub/Neofunctionalization of Malvolio, an Insect Homolog of Nramp, in the Subsocial Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides.

ABSTRACT: With growing numbers of sequenced genomes, increasing numbers of duplicate genes are being uncovered. Here we examine Malvolio, a gene in the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (Nramp) family, that has been duplicated in the subsocial beetle, Nicrophorus vespilloides, which exhibits advanced parental behavior. There is only one copy of Mvl in honey bees and Drosophila, whereas in vertebrates there are two copies that are subfunctionalized. We first compared amino acid sequences for Drosophila, beetles, mice, and humans. We found a high level of conservation between the different species, although there was greater variation in the C-terminal regions. A phylogenetic analysis across multiple insect orders suggested that Mvl has undergone several inde

SUBMITTER: Mehlferber EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5633388 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature