title: Phylogenetic analysis of the expansion of the MATH-BTB gene family in the grasses.
abstract: MATH-BTB proteins are known to act as substrate-specific adaptors of cullin3 (CUL3)-based ubiquitin E3 ligases to target protein for ubiquitination. In a previous study we reported the presence of 31 MATH-BTB genes in the maize genome and determined the regulatory role of the MATH-BTB protein MAB1 during meiosis to mitosis transition. In contrast to maize, there are only 6 homologous genes in the model plant Arabidopsis, while this family has largely expanded in grasses. Here, we report a phylogenetic analysis of the MATH-BTB gene family in 9 land plant species including various mosses, eudicots, and grasses. We extend a previous classification of the plant MATH-BTB family and additionally arrange the expanded group into 5 grass-specific clades. Synteny studies indicate that expansion occurred to a large extent due to local gene duplications. Expression studies of 3 closely related MATH-BTB genes in maize (MAB1-3) indicate highly specific expression pattern. In summary, this work provides a solid base for further studies comparing genetic and functional information of the MATH-BTB family especially in the grasses.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juranić
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dresselhaus
mesh_terms: D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins
keywords: E3 ligases; MAB1; MATH-BTB; maize; phylogeny; synteny; tandem/segmental gene duplication