In silico identification and characterization of the MAPK family members of unicellular model eukaryote Tetrahymena thermophila
European Journal of Protistology, cilt.50, sa.5, ss.538-550, 2014 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 50 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2014
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ejop.2014.08.005
- Dergi Adı: European Journal of Protistology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.538-550
- Anahtar Kelimeler: In silico, MAPK, mRNA expression profile, Protista, Stress, Tetrahymena the rmophila
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
The biological function and evolutionary diversity of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family have mostly been studied in fungi, animals and plants, with very limited information from lower eukaryotes. This study aimed to describe the MAPKs of unicellular Tetrahymena thermophila. Eight members of the T. thermophila MAPK (TtMPK) gene family, in addition to previously reported TtMPK1, TtMPK2 and TtMPK3, were identified bioinformatically using a T. thermophila genome database. Phylogenetic analysis assigned the TtMPKs into two major groups, ERK1/2-like (TtMPK1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) as stress-responsive MAPKs for biotic and abiotic stresses, and ERK7/8-like (TtMPK4, 10, and 11) as cell-cycle-associated protein kinases for biotic factors. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the TtMPKs showed high mRNA expression at 30. °C; however, only TtMPK5 and TtMPK6 showed high expression at 37. °C. Osmotic shock by 100. mM NaCl only increased the expression of TtMPK2, whereas 20. mM NaCl reduced the expression of all MPKs to almost zero. The results suggested that T. thermophila MAPKs are among the closest representatives of the ancestors of the eukaryotic MAPK family. Although no functional characterization of MPKs was performed, this study is the first report of the genome-wide MAPK family in T. thermophila.