Molecular Evolution of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) Gene Family and the Functional Characterization of Lamprey TGF-β2

Evolution and Comparative Genomics of the Transforming Growth Factor-β-Related Proteins in Nile Tilapia

The members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of cell signaling polypeptides have garnered a great deal of interest due to its capacity from nematodes to mammals to regulate cell-based activities which control the growth of embryos and sustain tissue homeostasis. The current study designed a computational analysis of the TGF-β protein family for understanding these proteins at the molecular level. This study determined the genomic structure of TGF-β gene family in Nile tilapia for the first time. We chose 33 TGF-β genes for identification and divided them into two subgroups, TGF-like and BMP-like. Moreover, the subcellular localization of the Nile tilapia TGF-β proteins have showed that majority of the members of TGF-β proteins family are present into extracellular matrix and plasma except BMP6, BMP7, and INHAC. All TGF-β proteins were thermostable excluding BMP1. Each protein exhibited basic nature, excluding of BMP1, BMP2, BMP7, BMP10, GDF2, GDF8, GDF11, AMH, INHA, INHBB, and NODAL M. All proteins gave impression of being unstable depending on the instability index, having values exceeding 40 excluding BMP1 and BMP2. Each TGF-β protein was found to be hydrophobic with lowered values of GRAVY. Moreover, every single one of the discovered TGF-β genes had a consistent evolutionary pattern. The TGF-β gene family had eight segmental duplications, and the Ka/Ks ratio demonstrated that purifying selection had an impact on the duplicated gene pairs which have experienced selection pressure. This study highlights important functionality of TGF-β and depicts the demand for further investigation to better understand the role and mechanism of transforming growth factor β in fishes and other species.

Comparative genomic studies on the TGF-β superfamily in blue whale

TGF-β supergene family has a wide range of physiological functions including cell adhesion, motility, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. We systematically analyzed and characterized the TGF-β gene superfamily from the whole blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) genome, using comparative genomic and evolutionary analysis. We identified 30 TGF-β genes and were split into two subgroups, BMP-like and TGF-like. All TGF-β proteins demonstrating a basic nature, with the exception of BMP1, BMP2, BMP10, GDF2, MSTN, and NODAL modulator, had acidic characteristics. All the blue whale (B. musculus) TGF-β proteins, excluding BMP1, are thermostable based on aliphatic index. The instability index showed all proteins except the NODAL modulator was unstable. TGF-β proteins showed a hydrophilic character, with the exception of GDF1 and INHBC. Moreover, all the detected TGF-β genes showed evolutionary conserved nature. A segmental duplication was indicated by TGF-β gene family, and the Ka/Ks ratio showed that the duplicated gene pairs were subjected to selection pressure, indicating both purifying and positive selection pressure. Two possible recombination breakpoints were also predicted. This study provides insights into the genetic characterization and evolutionary aspects of the TGF-β superfamily in blue whales (B. musculus).

Genome-wide investigation of the TGF-β superfamily in scallops

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily genes can regulate various processes, especially in embryogenesis, adult development, and homeostasis. To understand the evolution and divergence patterns of the TGF-β superfamily in scallops, genome-wide data from the Bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), the Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri) and the Yesso scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) were systematically analysed using bioinformatics methods.

RESULTS

Twelve members of the TGF-β superfamily were identified for each scallop. The phylogenetic tree showed that these genes were grouped into 11 clusters, including BMPs, ADMP, NODAL, GDF, activin/inhibin and AMH. The number of exons and the conserved motif showed some differences between different clusters, while genes in the same cluster exhibited high similarity. Selective pressure analysis revealed that the TGF-β superfamily in scallops was evolutionarily conserved. The spatiotemporal expression profiles suggested that different TGF-β members have distinct functions. Several BMP-like and NODAL-like genes were highly expressed in early developmental stages, patterning the embryonic body plan. GDF8/11-like genes showed high expression in striated muscle and smooth muscle, suggesting that these genes may play a critical role in regulating muscle growth. Further analysis revealed a possible duplication of AMH, which played a key role in gonadal growth/maturation in scallops. In addition, this study found that several genes were involved in heat and hypoxia stress in scallops, providing new insights into the function of the TGF-β superfamily.

CONCLUSION

Characteristics of the TGF-β superfamily in scallops were identified, including sequence structure, phylogenetic relationships, and selection pressure. The expression profiles of these genes in different tissues, at different developmental stages and under different stresses were investigated. Generally, the current study lays a foundation for further study of their pleiotropic biological functions in scallops.

Genome-wide identification, evolution and expression of TGF-β signaling pathway members in mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi)

Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway regulate diverse cellular biological processes in embryonic and tissue development. We took mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) as the research object to identify all members of the TGF-β signaling pathway, measure their expression pattern in the key period post hatching, and further explore their possible role in the process of sex regulation. Herein, we identified eighty-three TGF-β signaling pathway members and located them on chromosomes based on the genome of mandarin fish. TGF-β signaling pathway members were highly conserved since each TGF-β subfamily clustered with orthologs from other species. Transcriptome analysis, qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization demonstrated that most mandarin fish TGF-β signaling pathway members presented stage-specific and/or sex-dimorphic expression during gonadal development, and different members of the TGF-β signaling pathway participated in different stages of gonadal development. Taken together, our results provide new insight into the role of TGF-β signaling pathway members in the sex regulation of mandarin fish.

The Research Progress in Transforming Growth Factor-β2

Transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2), an important member of the TGF-β family, is a secreted protein that is involved in many biological processes, such as cell growth, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. TGF-β2 had been thought to be functionally identical to TGF-β1; however, an increasing number of recent studies uncovered the distinctive features of TGF-β2 in terms of its expression, activation, and biological functions. Mice deficient in TGF-β2 showed remarkable developmental abnormalities in multiple organs, especially the cardiovascular system. Dysregulation of TGF-β2 signalling was associated with tumorigenesis, eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, as well as motor system diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in TGF-β2 to support further research on TGF-β2.

The C/A functional polymorphism of TGF-β2 gene (rs991967) in primary open angle glaucoma patients

BACKGROUND

Primary Open-angle Glaucoma (POAG) is a functional disease that.leads to blindness globally. The aims of this study are estimation the importance.of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) in the pathogenicity of POAG and.to evaluate the effect of the C/A SNP of the TGF-β2 gene (rs991967) on POAG development.

METHODS

Blood samples and some topographic data were collected from POAG.patients and the controls. The serum level of TGF-β2 was estimated by ELISA.and the C/A SNP of the TGF-β2 gene (rs991967) was determined by RFLP-PCR.

RESULTS

The males are more susceptible to having POAG (p = 0.0201). The serum.TGF-β2 is higher in POAG patients as compared with the control (p < 0.0001). The.AA (reference) genotype was the most common in the patients (61.7%). While..CC genotype (45.0%, OR: 0.136, 95%CI: 0.05-0.36, P < 0.0001) and AC..genotypes (41.7%, OR: 0.051, 95%CI: 0.01-0.16, P < 0.001) were most common..in the control group. Moreover, the TGF-β2 C allele is protective (OR: 0.25,..95%, CI: 0.15-0.44, P < 0.0001). Patients with AA, CC, and AC genotypes have..significantly high levels of TGF-β2 (P < 0.001) than the control.

CONCLUSIONS

The males were more susceptible to acquiring POAG than females,.. especially the elderly. The TGF-β2 plays important role in the pathogenesis of POAG. The CC and AC genotypes are common in the control and the C allele is a protective factor.