The neurodevelopmental gene MSANTD2 belongs to a gene family formed by recurrent molecular domestication of Harbinger transposons at the base of vertebrates.

ABSTRACT: The formation of new genes is a major source of organism evolutionary innovation. Beyond their mutational effects, transposable elements can be co-opted by host genomes to form different types of sequences including novel genes, through a mechanism named molecular domestication.We report the formation of four genes through molecular domestication of Harbinger transposons, three in a common ancestor of jawed vertebrates about 500 million years ago and one in sarcopterygians approx. 430 million years ago. Additionally, one processed pseudogene arose approx. 60 million years ago in simians. In zebrafish, Harbinger-derived genes are expressed during early development but also in adult tissues, and predominantly co-expressed in male brain. In human, expression was detected in multiple organs, w

SUBMITTER: Etchegaray E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9392472 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature