Genomic sequence analysis and organization of BmKalphaTx11 and BmKalphaTx15 from Buthus martensii Karsch: molecular evolution of alpha-toxin genes

J Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Jul 31;38(4):386-90. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2005.38.4.386.

Abstract

Based on the reported cDNA sequences of BmKalphaTxs , the genes encoding toxin BmKalphaTx11 and BmKalphaTx15 were amplified by PCR from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch genomic DNA employing synthetic oligonucleotides. Sequences analysis of nucleotide showed that an intron about 500 bp length interrupts signal peptide coding regions of BmKalphaTx11 and BmKalphaTx15. Using cDNA sequence of BmKalphaTx11 as probe, southern hybridization of BmK genome total DNA was performed. The result indicates that BmKalphaTx11 is multicopy genes or belongs to multiple gene family with high homology genes. The similarity of BmKalpha-toxin gene sequences and southern hybridization revealed the evolution trace of BmKalpha-toxins: BmKalpha-toxin genes evolve from a common progenitor, and the genes diversity is associated with a process of locus duplication and gene divergence.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Blotting, Southern
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Duplication
  • Genome
  • Introns / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Scorpion Venoms / genetics*
  • Scorpions / genetics*
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid

Substances

  • BmKalphaTx11 protein, Buthus martensii
  • BmKalphaTx15 protein, Buthus martensii
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Scorpion Venoms

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY647170
  • GENBANK/AY647171