An Intact Retroviral Gene Conserved in Spiny-Rayed Fishes for over 100 My | Zendy

Jamie E. Henzy | Zendy; Robert J. Gifford | Zendy; Christopher P. Kenaley | Zendy; Welkin E. Johnson | Zendy

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An Intact Retroviral Gene Conserved in Spiny-Rayed Fishes for over 100 My

Author(s) -

Jamie E. Henzy,

Robert J. Gifford,

Christopher P. Kenaley,

Welkin E. Johnson

Publication year - 2016

Publication title -

molecular biology and evolution

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 6.637

H-Index - 218

eISSN - 1537-1719

pISSN - 0737-4038

DOI - 10.1093/molbev/msw262

Subject(s) - biology , gene , vertebrate , lineage (genetic) , open reading frame , genetics , genome , evolutionary biology , intron , peptide sequence

We have identified a retroviral envelope gene with a complete, intact open reading frame (ORF) in 20 species of spiny-rayed fishes (Acanthomorpha). The taxonomic distribution of the gene, "percomORF", indicates insertion into the ancestral lineage >110 Ma, making it the oldest known conserved gene of viral origin in a vertebrate genome. Underscoring its ancient provenence, percomORF exists as an isolated ORF within the intron of a widely conserved host gene, with no discernible proviral sequence nearby. Despite its remarkable age, percomORF retains canonical features of a retroviral glycoprotein, and tests for selection strongly suggest cooption for a host function. Retroviral envelope genes have been coopted for a role in placentogenesis by numerous lineages of mammals, including eutherians and marsupials, representing a variety of placental structures. Therefore percomORF's presence within the group Percomorpha-unique among spiny-finned fishes in having evolved placentation and live birth-is especially intriguing.

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