Stepwise evolution of Elk‐1 in early deuterostomes

• DOI: 10.1111/febs.13607
• Publication Date: 2015-11-27T15:08:43Z
• Authors: Janice Saxton; Zoltan Ferjentsik; Charles Ducker; Andrew D. Johnson; Peter E. Shaw
• Keywords: Lineage (genetic); LIM domain; Exaptation

Metazoans have multiple ETS paralogues with overlapping or indiscriminate biological functions. Elk-1, one of three mammalian ternary complex factors (TCFs), is a well-conserved, domain-containing transcriptional regulator mitogen-responsive genes that operates in concert serum response factor (SRF). Nonetheless, its genetic role remains unresolved because the elk-1 gene could be deleted from mouse genome seemingly without adverse effect. Here we explored evolution Elk-1 to gain insight into conserved role. We identified antecedent proteins extant early metazoans and used amino acid sequence alignments chart appearance domains characteristic human Elk-1. then performed biochemical studies determine whether putative apparent protein primitive hemichordate were functionally orthologous those Our findings imply existence primordial deuterostomes operate as transcription but not TCFs. The TCF was acquired later, presumably prior whole duplications basal vertebrate lineage. Thus evolutionary origins link mesoderm.