Study of Elongation Factor Genes in Green Algae
Author Information
Author(s): Ellen Cocquyt, Heroen Verbruggen, Frederik Leliaert, Frederick W Zechman, Koen Sabbe, Olivier De Clerck
Primary Institution: Ghent University
Hypothesis
EF-1α was the primitive state and that EFL was gained once in the ancestor of the green plants, followed by differential loss of EF-1α or EFL in the principal clades of the Viridiplantae.
Conclusion
EF-1α is much more common among green algae than previously thought, confirming the mutually exclusive distribution of EF-1α and EFL in a large sample of green plants.
Supporting Evidence
- EF-1α is present in three ulvophycean orders and the genus Ignatius.
- Models revealed that the presence of EF-1α, EFL or both genes is highly uncertain.
- Phylogenetic analysis indicates misinterpretations in recent literature due to uncertainty regarding the root position.
Takeaway
This study looked at two important genes in green algae and found that one gene is more common than scientists thought, while the other gene is found in fewer types of algae.
Methodology
The study screened the presence of elongation factor genes in a large sample of green algae and analyzed their gain-loss dynamics using continuous-time Markov models.
Limitations
The presence of EF-1α, EFL or both genes along the backbone of the green plant phylogeny is highly uncertain due to sensitivity to branch lengths and lack of prior knowledge about ancestral states or rates of gene gain and loss.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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