Evidence for multiple lateral transfers of the circadian clock cluster in filamentous heterocystic cyanobacteria Nostocaceae

J Mol Evol. 2004 Mar;58(3):341-7. doi: 10.1007/s00239-003-2556-9.

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are the first prokaryotes reported to show circadian rhythmicity, which is regulated by a cluster of three genes: kaiA, kaiB, and kaiC. Phylogenetic analysis of the kaiBC cluster in filamentous cyanobacteria of the family Nostocaceae including Nodularia spumigena and Nostoc linckia from Arubotaim Cave, Mt. Sedom, Israel, indicated that this cluster has experienced multiple lateral transfers. The transfers have occurred in different periods of the species' evolution. The data obtained suggest that lateral transfers of the circadian clock cluster in filamentous cyanobacteria have been common and might have adaptive significance.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biological Clocks / genetics*
  • Circadian Rhythm / genetics*
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Cyanobacteria / genetics*
  • DNA Primers
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal / genetics*
  • Israel
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Circadian Rhythm Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • KaiB protein, cyanobacteria
  • KaiC protein, cyanobacteria
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S