Distinct Molecular Evolutionary Mechanisms Underlie the Functional Diversification of the Wnt and TGFβ Signaling Pathways

摘要: The canonical Wnt pathway is one of the oldest and most functionally diverse animal intercellular signaling pathways. Though much known about loss-of-function phenotypes for components in several model organisms, question how this achieved its current repertoire functions has not been addressed. Our phylogenetic analyses 11 multigene families from five species belonging to distinct phyla, as well additional employing 12 Drosophila genomes, suggest frequent gene duplications affecting ligands receptors co-evolution new ligand–receptor pairs likely facilitated expansion pathway’s capabilities. Further, examples recent loss are visible when compared family members other phyla. By comparison TGFβ characterized by ancient ligands, receptors, signal transducers with duplication events restricted vertebrate lineage. Overall, data that two molecular evolutionary mechanisms can create a developmental pathway. These dynamic generation genes interactions seen conservative adaptation pre-existing roles From practical perspective, former mechanism limits investigator’s ability transfer knowledge specific across while latter facilitates transfer.