cDNA cloning of a developmentally regulated hemocyanin subunit in the crustacean Cancer magister and phylogenetic analysis of the hemocyanin gene family
Open Access
- 1 March 1997
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Molecular Biology and Evolution
- Vol. 14 (3) , 266-276
- https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a025762
Abstract
The complete cDNA sequence and protein reading frame of a developmentally regulated hemocyanin subunit in the Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) is presented. The protein sequence is aligned with 18 potentially homologous hemocyanin-type proteins displaying apparent sequence similarities. Functional domains are identified, and a comparison of predicted hydrophilicities, surface probabilities, and regional backbone flexibilities provides evidence for a remarkable degree of structural conservation among the proteins surveyed. Parsimony analysis of the protein sequence alignment identifies four monophyletic groups on the arthropodan branch of the hemocyanin gene tree: crustacean hemocyanins, insect hexamerins, chelicerate hemocyanins, and arthropodan prophenoloxidases. They form a monophyletic group relative to molluscan hemocyanins and nonarthropodan tyrosinases. Arthropodan prophenoloxidases, although functionally similar to tyrosinases, appear to belong to the arthropodan hexamer-type hemolymph proteins as opposed to molluscan hemocyanins and tyrosinases.Keywords
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