Phylogenesis of prion protein

We have reconstructed the phylogeny for various mammal species based on the sequence of the prion protein gene. By tracing the pattern of amino-acid substitutions through the phylogeny, we have identified two pairs of derived substitutions uniquely shared by cattle (Bos taurus) and the hominoids. Al...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Nature (London) Vol. 380; no. 6576; p. 675
Main Authors:	Krakauer, David C, Pagel, Mark, Southwood, T. R. E, de A. Zanotto, Paola M
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Nature Publishing Group 25-04-1996
Subjects:	Amino acids Animals Bos taurus Confidence intervals Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Humans Mammals - classification Mammals - genetics Mutation Phylogenetics Phylogeny primates Prion Diseases - genetics Prions - classification Prions - genetics Proteins United Kingdom > UK
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Summary:	We have reconstructed the phylogeny for various mammal species based on the sequence of the prion protein gene. By tracing the pattern of amino-acid substitutions through the phylogeny, we have identified two pairs of derived substitutions uniquely shared by cattle (Bos taurus) and the hominoids. Although we have no specific explanation for these events, a phylogenetic analysis can help to indicate their significance. Two factors make the result compelling: the probability that it occurred by chance is estimated to be less than 1.2 x 10 super(-4); and the substitutions, although of a conservative nature, occur in a region of the gene postulated to be involved in the acquisition of prion diseases.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 SourceType-Other Sources-1 content type line 63 ObjectType-Correspondence-1
ISSN:	0028-0836 1476-4687
DOI:	10.1038/380675a0