The vertebrate connexin family |
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Authors: | V Cruciani S -O Mikalsen |
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Institution: | (1) The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Institute for Cancer Research, 0310 Oslo, Norway |
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Abstract: | Connexins are chordate-specific transmembrane proteins that can form gap junctional channels between adjacent cells. With
the progress in vertebrate genome sequencing, it is now possible to reconstruct the main lines in the evolution of the connexin
family from fishes to mammals. Four connexin groups are only found in fishes. Otherwise, the differences between fishes and
mammals can be explained by two gene losses (Cx39.9 and Cx43.4) after the divergence of the Reptilia, and three gene duplications
(the generation of Cx26 and 30 from a preCx26/30 sequence, Cx30.3 and 31.1 from a preCx30.3/ 31.1 sequence, and Cx31.3 from
an uncertain origin). Orthologs of most connexins can be found throughout the vertebrates from fishes to mammals. As judged
from the recently defined connexins in tunicates, the original connexin might be related to the ortholog groups of Cx36, 39.2,
43.4, 45 or 47.
Received 1 December 2005; received after revision 8 January 2005; accepted 31 January 2006 |
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Keywords: | Gap junction pannexin connexin evolution phylogeny synteny chromosome |
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