A novel MSMB-related microprotein in the postovulatory egg coats of marsupials

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Research Article

Stephen Frankenberg¹  Bonnie Dopheide¹  Jane Fenelon¹  Geoff Shaw¹  Marilyn B Renfree¹ 

[1] ARC Centre of Excellence for Kangaroo Genomics and Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;

关键词: Zebra Finch;    Brushtail Possum;    Tammar Wallaby;    Signal Peptide Cleavage Site;    Syntenic Group;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2148-11-373

 received in 2011-08-02, accepted in 2011-12-30,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEarly marsupial conceptuses differ markedly from those of eutherian mammals, especially during cleavage and early blastocyst stages of development. Additionally, in marsupials the zona pellucida is surrounded by two acellular layers, the mucoid coat and shell, which are formed from secretions from the reproductive tract.ResultsWe report the identification of a novel postovulatory coat component in marsupials, which we call uterinesecreted microprotein (USM). USM belongs to a family of disulfide-rich microproteins of unconfirmed function that is found throughout deuterostomes and in some protostomes, and includes β-microseminoprotein (MSMB) and prostate-associated microseminoprotein (MSMP). We describe the evolution of this family in detail, including USM-related sequences in other vertebrates. The orthologue of USM in the tammar wallaby, USM1, is expressed by the endometrium with a dynamic temporal profile, possibly under the control of progesterone.ConclusionsUSM appears to have evolved in a mammalian ancestor specifically as a component of the postovulatory coats. By analogy with the known properties of MSMB, it may have roles in regulating sperm motility/survival or in the immune system. However, its C-terminal domain is greatly truncated compared with MSMB, suggesting a divergent function.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Frankenberg et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011