Abstract
A direct approach to investigating new gene origination is to examine recently evolved genes. We report a new gene in the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup, Drosophila nuclear transport factor-2-related (Dntf-2r). Its sequence features and phylogenetic distribution indicate that Dntf-2r is a retroposed functional gene and originated in the common ancestor of D. melanogaster, D. simulans, D. sechellia, and D. mauritiana, within the past 3-12 million years (MY). Dntf-2r evolved more rapidly than the parental gene, under positive Darwinian selection as revealed by the McDonald-Kreitman test and other evolutionary analyses. Comparative expression analysis shows that Dntf-2r is male specific whereas the parental gene, Dntf-2, is widely expressed in D. melanogaster. In agreement with its new expression pattern, the Dntf-2r putative promoter sequence is similar to the late testis promoter of beta2-tubulin. We discuss the possibility that the action of positive selection in Dntf-2r is related to its putative male-specific functions.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Base Sequence
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DNA Primers
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Drosophila Proteins
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Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
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Gene Expression*
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In Situ Hybridization
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Likelihood Functions
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Male
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / genetics*
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Phylogeny*
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Retroelements / genetics
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Selection, Genetic*
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
Substances
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DNA Primers
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Drosophila Proteins
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Ntf-2 protein, Drosophila
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Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins
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Retroelements
Associated data
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GENBANK/AY150763
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GENBANK/AY150764
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