| First Author | Wheeler D | Year | 2001 |
| Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 98 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 1101-6 |
| PubMed ID | 11158601 | Mgi Jnum | J:67210 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1930061 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.98.3.1101 |
| Citation | Wheeler D, et al. (2001) An orphaned mammalian beta -globin gene of ancient evolutionary origin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 98(3):1101-6 |
| abstractText | Mammals possess multiple, closely linked beta-globin genes that differ in the timing of their expression during development. These genes have been thought to be derived from a single ancestral gene, by duplication events that occurred after the separation of the mammals and birds. We report the isolation and characterization of an atypical beta-like globin gene (omega-globin) in marsupials that appears to be more closely related to avian beta-globin genes than to other mammalian beta-globin genes, including those previously identified in marsupials. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that omega-globin evolved from an ancient gene duplication event that occurred before the divergence of mammals and birds. Furthermore, we show that omega-globin is unlinked to the previously characterized beta-globin gene cluster of marsupials, making this the first report of an orphaned beta-like globin gene expressed in a vertebrate. |
