Convergence of ion channel genome content in early animal evolution
Abstract
The early evolution of animal nervous systems is poorly understood, but comparative genomics provides a new window into the past. One important controversy is about whether nervous systems evolved just once or independently in different animal lineages. In this work, we explore the history of the gene families most central to nervous system function: ion channels. We track when these gene families expanded in animal evolution and find that these gene families radiated on several occasions and, in some cases, underwent periods of contraction. The multiple origins of these gene families may signify large-scale convergent evolution of nervous system complexity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1501195112
Entities
People
- Benjamin J. Liebeskind
- David M. Hillis
- Harold H. Zakon
Organizations
- Marine Biological Laboratory
- United States Department of Defense
- University of Texas at Austin