Modular genes with metazoan-specific domains have increased tissue specificity.
We have systematically examined the domain composition across a comprehensive set of tissue-specific, midrange and housekeeping genes as defined by their mode of expression in 52 normal mouse tissues. We show a definite correlation between the number of domains and the degree of tissue specificity. This trend is further supported by a novel analysis involving the time of origin of each domain. Genes containing metazoan-specific domains are more prevalent in signal transduction and cell-communication pathways, and are depleted in primary metabolism. Our analyses suggest that highly modular gene products have been recruited for tissue-specific functions that are required in complex organisms.
Cohen-Gihon
Inbar
I
Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Lancet
Doron
D
Yanai
Itai
I
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics; D019295:Computational Biology; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*