2 research outputs found
Pogo-like transposases have been repeatedly domesticated into CENP-B-related proteins
The centromere is a chromatin region that is required for accurate inheritance of eukaryotic chromosomes during cell divisions. Among the different centromere-associated proteins (CENP) identified, CENP-B has been independently domesticated from a pogo-like transposase twice: Once in mammals and once in fission yeast. Recently, a third independent domestication restricted to holocentric lepidoptera has been described. In this work, we take advantage of the high-quality genome sequence and the wealth of functional information available for Drosophila melanogaster to further investigate the possibility of additional independent domestications of pogo-like transposases into host CENP-B related proteins. Our results showed that CENP-B related genes are not restricted to holocentric insects. Furthermore, we showed that at least three independent domestications of pogo-like transposases have occurred in metazoans. Our results highlight the importance of transposable elements as raw material for the recurrent evolution of important cellular functions. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.This work was supported by grants from the European Commission (Marie Curie CIG PCIG-GA-2011-293860) and from the Spanish Government (Fundamental Research Projects Grant BFU-2011-24397) awarded to J.G.Peer Reviewe