Mechanisms Compensating for Gene Loss during Avian Evolution

Presenter

Thea Hannah Wysocki

Campus

Fitchburg State University

Sponsor

Lisa Marie Grimm, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Fitchburg State University

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A1, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 1 (A1-A20) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

The deoxyribonuclease II (DNase2) family of genes are present throughout metazoans and

encode enzymes that degrade DNA under acidic conditions. In mammals there are two different

genes encoding DNase 2 enzymes, DNase 2α and DNase 2β. In mice and humans, DNase 2α is

an enzyme expressed in all cells that degrades the DNA of cells that have died during

development and during normal homeostasis. Mice that do not have this gene die soon after birth

demonstrating the importance of this enzyme. DNase 2β, however, is expressed in limited

tissues in mice and functions in the lens cells of the developing eye to degrade the nuclear DNA

and clear the lens. The removal of this gene from the mouse is not lethal, however the mice are

blind due to undigested DNA in their lens that blocks the path of light. Examination of genome

sequence databases revealed that most vertebrate genomes encode both forms of DNase 2.

Birds, however, have lost DNase 2α. Given the importance of DNase 2α in mice, we are

interested in the question of how birds are able to survive the loss of this gene. Using chicken as

a model system, our working hypothesis is that DNase 2β is able to compensate for the loss of

DNase 2α. The discovery of two potential new exons in DNase 2β supports the possibility of

multiple activities. Using a variety of molecular biology techniques such as RT-PCR, RACE,

and DNA sequencing, we are working to confirm and map these exons.

Keywords

molecular biology techniques, gene compensation, cell death, DNA degradation, enzymes

Research Area

Biological Organisms

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