摘要:
碱性螺旋-环-螺旋(bHLH)转录因子在真核生物的生长发育相关的基因表达调控过程中发挥着重要的作用。本文根据现有非洲爪蟾基因组数据,利用生物信息学方法初步鉴定爪蟾的bHLH基因,收集了其结构、家族分类和GO功能富集等信息,进行了初步分析。结果,在非洲爪蟾基因组数据库中共发现98个bHLH转录因子,它们可以分别归到6大组(A-F)的32个亚家族中。通过基因本体论(GO)的富集分布统计发现有42个显著富集分布的GO注释语句,其中转录调控活性(GO:0030528)、转录调控(GO:0045449)、DNA结合(GO:0003677)、转录(GO:0006350)和DNA依赖的转录调控(GO:0006355)等出现的频率很高,表明这些GO术语是爪蟾bHLH基因的共同功能;此外,许多爪蟾bHLH基因在一些重要的发育或生理过程(如肌肉器官和眼的发育)中发挥着重要的调控作用。这些研究结果将有助于进一步的研究。
Abstract:
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play essential roles in the regulation of eukaryotic growth and development and gene transcription. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide survey using the Xenopus Laevis ongoing genome project databases, and identified 98 bHLH sequences in Xenopus Laevis genome. Phylogenetic analyses revealed those bHLH genes belong to 32 families in the super-groups (A-F) in this research. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment statistics showed 42 significant GO annotations counted in frequency. Statistical analysis of the Gene Ontology annotations showed that these 98 bHLH proteins tend to be related to transcription regulator activity (GO:0030528), regulation of transcription (GO:0045449), DNA binding (GO:0003677), transcription (GO:0006350), DNA-dependent regulation of transcription (GO:0006355), expected from the common GO categories of transcriptional factors. A number of bHLH genes play regulation significant role in special development or physiology processes, such as muscle organ development and eye development. This preliminary study provides useful information for further researches on Xenopus Laevis.