Remodelling of a homeobox gene cluster by multiple independent gene reunions in Drosophila.

Nat Commun
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Genome clustering of homeobox genes is often thought to reflect arrangements of tandem gene duplicates maintained by advantageous coordinated gene regulation. Here we analyse the chromosomal organization of the NK homeobox genes, presumed to be part of a single cluster in the Bilaterian ancestor, across 20 arthropods. We find that the ProtoNK cluster was extensively fragmented in some lineages, showing that NK clustering in Drosophila species does not reflect selectively maintained gene arrangements. More importantly, the arrangement of NK and neighbouring genes across the phylogeny supports that, in two instances within the Drosophila genus, some cluster remnants became reunited via large-scale chromosomal rearrangements. Simulated scenarios of chromosome evolution indicate that these reunion events are unlikely unless the genome neighbourhoods harbouring the participating genes tend to colocalize in the nucleus. Our results underscore how mechanisms other than tandem gene duplication can result in paralogous gene clustering during genome evolution.

Year of Publication
2015
Journal
Nat Commun
Volume
6
Pages
6509
Date Published
2015 Mar 05
ISSN
2041-1723
URL
DOI
10.1038/ncomms7509
PubMed ID
25739651
Links
Grant list
R25-GM056647 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States