Open AccessCharacterization, comparative genomics, and evolutionary inferences of a human drug metabolizing (NAT2) gene
Author(s) -
Naazneen Khan,
Veena Pande,
Ashim Das
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
interventional medicine and applied science/interventional medicine and applied science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.195
H-Index - 14
eISSN - 2061-5094
pISSN - 2061-1617
DOI - 10.1556/imas.3.2011.2.5
Subject(s) - biology , evolutionary biology , taxon , phylogenetic tree , comparative genomics , gene , population , genetics , genomics , phylogenetics , genome , ecology , medicine , environmental health
Aim The present-day genetic architecture of a species bears much significance to its closely related species. In recent availability of whole genome sequence data for closely related species, it is possible to detect genetic similarities/differences in specific lineages and infer the role of evolutionary forces in bringing such similarities/differences. In this respect, NAT2 gene, responsible for drug metabolism, is conserved across a few taxa and, thus, comparative genomic studies could be useful for better pharmacogenetic realization. Methods DNA sequences of human NAT2 gene were retrieved from NCBI and characterized. Comparative and evolutionary analyses were performed with sequences from four mammalian taxa and one avian taxon with different statistical algorithms. Results The observed genetic architecture of NAT2 gene was different across the taxa. Phylogenetic inferences revealed that human and chimpanzee are diverged recently and fowl was found to be diverged from rest of the taxa significantly. Also, gene length, microsatellites, Ka/Ks , secondary structure, and distribution of CpG islands were observed across taxa. Conclusions The detail architecture of NAT2 gene and its evolutionary history in different taxa show relationships with other taxa. Future population-based study in NAT2 would unravel the correlation between nucleotide changes and differential ability of drug metabolization in humans.