Molecular Evolution of the Glycosyltransferase 6 Gene Family in Primates

Abstract

Glycosyltransferase 6 gene family includes ABO, Ggta1, iGb3S, and GBGT1 genes and by three putative genes restricted to mammals, GT6m6, GTm6, and GT6m7, only the latter is found in primates. GT6 genes may encode functional and nonfunctional proteins. Ggta1 and GBGT1 genes, for instance, are pseudogenes in catarrhine primates, while iGb3S gene is only inactive in human, bonobo, and chimpanzee. Even inactivated, these genes tend to be conversed in primates. As some of the GT6 genes are related to the susceptibility or resistance to parasites, we investigated (i) the selective pressure on the GT6 paralogs genes in primates; (ii) the basis of the conservation of iGb3S in human, chimpanzee, and bonobo; and (iii) the functional potential of the GBGT1 and GT6m7 in catarrhines. We observed that the purifying selection is prevalent and these genes have a low diversity, though ABO and Ggta1 genes have some sites under positive selection. GT6m7, a putative gene associated with aggressive periodontitis, may have regulatory function, but experimental studies are needed to assess its function. The evolutionary conservation of iGb3S in humans, chimpanzee, and bonobo seems to be the result of proximity to genes with important biological functions.

Comparative ontogenetic and transcriptomic analyses shed light on color pattern divergence in cichlid fishes

“…Beyond agrp2 , we found one additional color gene to be DE between the species: the kit ligand a (ENSACLG00000020690; kitlga ) that can trigger ectopic melanophore development (Parichy & Spiewak, 2015). The gene with the highest statistical support of differential expression is gbgt1l2 (ENSACLG00000014495; globoside alpha‐1,3‐N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1‐like ) a member of the glycosyltransferase‐6 gene family that is involved in the biosynthesis of antigens (Evanovich et al, 2016; Jacob et al, 2014). It is not surprising to discover immune‐related genes among the DE genes between species, as immune genes have been shown to be particularly fast‐evolving (Star et al, 2011; Wang et al, 2015).…”

Dental findings in wild great apes from macerated skull analysis

“…Some innate or genetic factors (such as activation of osteoclasts by IL-1 or TNF-α) as well as specific bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia) are associated with severe periodontitis (Das et al, 2023;Sadek et al, 2023). It is noteworthy that genes potentially associated with aggressive periodontitis are present in great apes' genomes (Evanovich et al, 2016). Specific periodontopathogenic bacteria, such as Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, have been detected in great apes' saliva (Ebersole et al, 2019;Karched et al, 2012), and alterations in neutrophilic granulocytes, typically linked with periodontitis and coronary heart disease, have been investigated in zoohoused chimpanzees (Raindi et al, 2022).…”