Molecular Evolution and Functional Divergence of the Ca2+ Sensor Protein in Store-operated Ca2+ Entry: Stromal Interaction Molecule Analysis of STIM Proteins
2007

Evolution of the Ca2+ Sensor Protein in Store-operated Ca2+ Entry

Sample size: 22 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Cai Xinjiang

Primary Institution: Duke University Medical Center

Hypothesis

The study investigates the evolutionary significance of STIM proteins and their functional divergence after gene duplication.

Conclusion

The study reveals that STIM-1 and STIM-2 have evolved distinct functional properties after gene duplication, with evidence of strong evolutionary constraints within each group.

Supporting Evidence

  • Phylogenetic trees indicated consistent evolutionary relationships of the STIM protein family.
  • Gene duplication of STIM proteins occurred as early as in the Euteleostomi lineage.
  • Functional divergence analysis supports that STIM-1 and STIM-2 evolved different functional properties.

Takeaway

Scientists studied a protein that helps cells manage calcium levels and found that it changed a lot over time, leading to two different versions that do different jobs.

Methodology

Phylogenetic analysis and sequence analysis of the STIM protein family were conducted using extensive database searching.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0000609

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