Independent origin of the growth hormone gene family in New World monkeys and Old World monkeys/hominoids

Abstract

The growth hormone (GH) gene family represents an erratic and complex evolutionary pattern, involving many evolutionary events, such as multiple gene duplications, positive selection, the birth-and-death process and gene conversions. In the present study, we cloned and sequenced GH-like genes from three species of New World monkeys (NWM). Phylogenetic analysis strongly suggest monophyly for NWM GH-like genes with respect to those of Old World monkeys (OWM) and hominoids, indicating that independent gene duplications have occurred in NWM GH-like genes. There are three main clusters of genes in putatively functional NWM GH-like genes, according to our gene tree.Comparison of the ratios of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitutions revealed that these three clusters of genes evolved under different kinds of selective pressures. Detailed analysis of the evolution of pseudogenes showed that the evolutionary pattern of this gene family in platyrrhines is in agreement with the so-called birth-and-death process.

Placental Growth Hormone-Related Proteins and Prolactin-Related Proteins

“…The additional genes of apes and Old World monkeys are expressed in the placenta [32,33] but this has not been determined in New World monkeys. All GHlike proteins of New World monkeys are more similar to each other than to any GH-like protein of apes or Old World monkeys, suggesting independent duplications of GH in the two lineages [34].…”

Growth hormone and growth hormone gene of the American mink (Neovison vison) – the current state of knowledge of one of the key hormones in one of the most intensively economically exploited species

“…Somatotropin is the major non-genetic factor stimulating the postnatal body growth, by induction of growth and differentiation of cells of the mesenchyme-derivative tissues. However, its action is not limited to the stimulation of growth, regeneration, differentiation and development of cells, tissues and organs, but it also includes the metabolic interaction on proteins, carbohydrates and fats, participation in the mineral economy and in processes connected with reproduction and immune functions of the body (Chawla et al, 1983;Hull, Harvey, 2000a;Okada, Kopchick, 2001;Li et al, 2005;Huising et al, 2006;Giustina et al, 2008;Breederveld, Tuinebreijer, 2012;Skottner 2012).…”

The chimpanzee GH locus: composition, organization, and evolution

“…The gene duplications that initiated the expansion of GH-like genes in higher primates appear to have occurred independently on lineages leading to new-world monkeys and to old-world monkeys and apes (Li et al 2005;Papper et al 2009;Wallis 2002, 2006), and followed an episode of rapid evolution of the GH gene (Forsyth and Wallis 2002;Liu et al 2001;Wallis 1996); subsequent diversification was rapid, resulting in variable numbers and organization of GH-like genes (González Alvarez et al 2006;Revol de Mendoza et al 2001Rodríguez-Sánchez et al 2010;Ye et al 2005, ).…”

“…In rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta; Golos et al 1993;González Alvarez et al 2006) and baboon (Papio hamadryas; Rodríguez-Sánchez et al 2010) there are 6 'genes', including at least one pseudogene, while gibbon (Hylobates leucogenys) has 7 GH-like genes and pseudogenes (Ye et al 2005). The organization of such genes in new-world monkeys differs from that in old-world monkeys and the gene clusters seem to have arisen independently (Li et al 2005;Papper et al 2009;Wallis and Wallis 2002), with 8 genes and pseudogenes in marmoset (Callithrix jacchus; Wallis 2002, 2006) and at least 40, mostly pseudogenes, in white fronted capuchin (Cebus albifrons; Wallis and Wallis 2006).…”