The Evolutionary History of Sarco(endo)plasmic Calcium ATPase (SERCA)

Abstract

Investigating the phylogenetic relationships within physiologically essential gene families across a broad range of taxa can reveal the key gene duplication events underlying their family expansion and is thus important to functional genomics studies. P-Type II ATPases represent a large family of ATP powered transporters that move ions across cellular membranes and includes Na+/K+ transporters, H+/K+ transporters, and plasma membrane Ca2+ pumps. Here, we examine the evolutionary history of one such transporter, the Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA), which maintains calcium homeostasis in the cell by actively pumping Ca2+ into the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum. Our protein-based phylogenetic analyses across Eukaryotes revealed two monophyletic clades of SERCA proteins, one containing animals, fungi, and plants, and the other consisting of plants and protists. Our analyses suggest that the three known SERCA proteins in vertebrates arose through two major gene duplication events after the divergence from tunicates, but before the separation of fishes and tetrapods. In plants, we recovered two SERCA clades, one being the sister group to Metazoa and the other to Apicomplexa clade, suggesting an ancient duplication in an early eukaryotic ancestor, followed by subsequent loss of one copy in Opisthokonta, the other in protists, and retention of both in plants. We also report relatively recent and independent gene duplication events within invertebrate taxa including tunicates and the leech Helobdella robusta. Thus, it appears that both ancient and recent gene duplication events have played an important role in the evolution of this ubiquitous gene family across the eukaryotic domain.

Linkage disequilibrium and genomic scan to detect selective loci in cattle populations adapted to different ecological conditions in Ethiopia

“…Another potential set of candidate genes under selection that might be important for local adaptation are ATPase genes. ATPases move ions across cellular membranes, including Na + /K + , H + /K + and plasma membrane Ca 2+ pumps (Altshuler et al 2012), and play an important role in maintaining ion homeostasis under heat stroke or stress (Kourtis et al 2012). Similarly, a study of human populations indicated that heat adaptation is correlated with temperature, rainfall and latitude.…”

Evolution of P2A and P5A ATPases: ancient gene duplications and the red algal connection to green plants revisited

“…Several isoforms of SERCA pumps were present in mammals (e.g. three in Homo sapiens , Altshuler et al ) and land plants (e.g. four in A. thaliana ; Evans and Williams , Altshuler et al ).…”

“…three in Homo sapiens , Altshuler et al ) and land plants (e.g. four in A. thaliana ; Evans and Williams , Altshuler et al ). Adding to this list, we identified up to three isoforms in many genomes of the protozoal supergroups Stramenopiles, Alveolata and Rhizaria (Table S1).…”

Pancreatic and Duodenal Homeobox Protein 1 (Pdx-1) Maintains Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Levels through Transcriptional Regulation of Sarco-endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase 2b (SERCA2b) in the Islet β Cell

“…The integrity of this gradient is actively maintained by the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) pump, which transports two Ca 2ϩ ions into the ER at the expense of one ATP molecule (15). At least 14 different SERCA isoforms have been identified to date (16,17), and we have previously shown SERCA2b to be the most prevalent isoform expressed in the mouse pancreatic islet. We and others have also shown that ␤ cell SERCA2b levels are diminished in human and rodent models of T1D and T2D (18 -21), resulting in Ca 2ϩ dysregulation, impaired insulin secretion, and ER stress (19).…”