SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “convergent evolution”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,621 records · Page 90Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Halobacteria: the evidence for longevity.

Subterranean salt deposits are the remains of ancient hypersaline waters that presumably supported dense populations of halophilic microorganisms including representatives of the haloarchaea (halobacteria). Ancient subterranean salt deposits (evaporites) are common throughout the world, and the majority sampled to date appear to support diverse populations of halobacteria. The inaccessibility of deep subsurface deposits, and the special requirements of these organisms for survival, make contamination by halobacteria from surface sites unlikely. It is conceivable that these subterranean halobacteria are autochthonous, presumably relict populations derived from ancient hypersaline seas that have been revived from a state of dormancy. One would predict that halobacteria that have been insulated and isolated inside ancient evaporites would be different from comparable bacteria from surface environments, and that it might be possible to use a molecular chronometer to establish if the evolutionary position of the subsurface isolates correlated with the geological age of the evaporite. Extensive comparisons have been made between the 16S rRNA genes of surface and subsurface halobacteria without showing any conclusive differences between the two groups. A further phylogenetic comparison exploits an unusual feature of one particular group of halobacteria that possess at least two heterogeneous copies of the 16S rRNA gene, the sequences of which may have been converging or diverging over geological time. However, results to date have yet to show any gene sequence differences between surface and evaporite-derived halobacteria that might arguably be an indication of long-term dormancy.

Evolution, Molecular↗

PubMed2006

Evolutionarily-conserved role of the NF-kappaB transcription factor in neural plasticity and memory.

NF-kappaB is an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors (TFs) critically involved in basic cellular mechanisms of the immune response, inflammation, development and apoptosis. In spite of the fact that it is expressed in the central nervous system, particularly in areas involved in memory processing, and is activated by signals such as glutamate and Ca2+, its role in neural plasticity and memory has only recently become apparent. A surprising feature of this molecule is its presence within the synapse. An increasing number of reports have called attention to the role of this TF in processes that require long-term regulation of the synaptic function underlying memory and neural plasticity. Here we review the evidence regarding a dual role for NF-kappaB, as both a signalling molecule after its activation at the synapse and a transcriptional regulator upon reaching the nucleus. The specific role of this signal, as well as the general transcriptional mechanism, in the process of memory formation is discussed. Converging lines of evidence summarized here point to a pivotal role for the NF-kappaB transcription factor as a direct signalling mechanism in the regulation of gene expression involved in long-term memory.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Higher-level phylogeny and morphological evolution of tyrant flycatchers, cotingas, manakins, and their allies (Aves: Tyrannida).

Despite increased understanding of higher-level relationships in passerine birds in the last 15 years, the taxonomic boundaries and phylogenetic interrelationships of the major groups of the Tyrannida (including the cotingas, manakins, tityrines, and tyrant flycatchers) remain unclear. Here, we present an analysis of DNA sequence data obtained from two nuclear exons, three introns, and one mitochondrial gene for 26 genera of Tyrannida and 6 tracheophone outgroups. The analysis resulted in well-supported hypotheses about the earliest evolution within Tyrannida. The Cotingidae, Pipridae, Tityrinae (sensu) [Prum, R.O., Rice, N.H., Mobley, J.A., Dimmick, W.W., 2000. A preliminary phylogenetic hypothesis for the cotingas (Cotingidae) based on mitochondrial DNA. Auk 117, 236-241], Tyrannidae, and the tyrannid subfamiles Tyranninae and Pipromorphinae (sensu) [Sibley, C.G., Monroe, B. L. Jr., 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT] were all found to be reciprocally monophyletic (given the present taxon sampling). The Cotingidae and Pipridae form a clade that is the sister group to a well-supported clade including Oxyruncus, the Tityrinae, Piprites, and the Tyrannidae. Oxyruncus is the sister group to the Tityrinae, and Piprites is placed as the sister group to the Tyrannidae. The tyrannid subfamilies Tyranninae and Pipromorphinae are monophyletic sister taxa, but the relationships of Platyrinchus mystaceus to these two clades remains ambiguous. The presence of medial (=internal) cartilages in the syrinx is a synapomorphy for the Oxyruncus-Tityrinae-Piprites-Tyrannidae clade. Although morphological synapomorphies currently support the monophyly of both the Pipridae and the Cotingidae, convergences and/or reversals in morphological character states are common in Tyrannida. The relationship between Oxyruncus and the Tityrinae is congruent with additional syringeal synapomorphies and allozyme distance data. Accordingly, we propose the recognition the family Tityridae within the Tyrannida to include the genera Schiffornis, Laniisoma, Laniocera, Iodopleura, Xenopsaris, Pachyramphus, Tityra, and Oxyruncus.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Evolution of Piperales--matK gene and trnK intron sequence data reveal lineage specific resolution contrast.

Piperales represent the largest basal angiosperm order with a nearly worldwide distribution. The order includes three species rich genera, Piper (ca. 2000 species), Peperomia (ca. 1500-1700 species), and Aristolochia s. l. (ca. 500 species). Sequences of the matK gene and the non-coding trnK group II intron are analysed for a dense set of 105 taxa representing all families (except Hydnoraceae) and all generic segregates (except Euglypha within Aristolochiaceae) of Piperales. A large number of highly informative indels are found in the Piperales trnK/matK dataset. Within a narrow region approximately 500 nt downstream in the matK coding region (CDS), a length variable simple sequence repeat (SSR) expansion segment occurs, in which insertions and deletions have led to short frame-shifts. These are corrected shortly afterwards, resulting in a maximum of six amino acids being affected. Furthermore, additional non-functional matK copies were found in Zippelia begoniifolia, which can easily be discriminated from the functional open reading frame (ORF). The trnK/matK sequence data fully resolve relationships within Peperomia, whereas they are not effective within Piper. The resolution contrast is correlated with the rate heterogeneity between those lineages. Parsimony, Bayesian and likelihood analyses result in virtually the same topology, and converge on the monophyly of Piperaceae and Saururaceae. Lactoris gains high support as sister to Aristolochiaceae subf. Aristolochioideae, but the different tree inference methods yield conflicting results with respect to the relationships of subfam. Asaroideae. In Piperaceae, a clade formed by the monotypic genus Zippelia and the small genus Manekia (=Sarcorhachis) is sister to the two large genera Piper and Peperomia.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1982

Chloroplast DNA evolution and phylogenetic relationships in Lycopersicon.

Chloroplast DNA was purified from 12 accessions that represent most of the species diversity in the genus Lycopersicon (family Solanaceae) and from 3 closely related species in the genus Solanum. Fragment patterns produced by digestion of these DNAs with 25 different restriction endonucleases were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. In all 15 DNAs, a total of only 39 restriction site mutations were detected among 484 restriction sites surveyed, representing 2,800 base pairs of sequence information. This low rate of base sequence change is paralleled by an extremely low rate of convergent change in restriction sites; only 1 of the 39 mutations appears to have occurred independently in two different lineages. Parsimony analysis of shared mutations has allowed the construction of a maternal phylogeny for the 15 accessions. This phylogeny is generally consistent with relationships based on morphology and crossability but provides more detailed resolution at several places. All accessions within Lycopersicon form a coherent group, with two of the three species of Solanum as outside reference points. Chloroplast DNA analysis places S. pennellii firmly within Lycopersicon, confirming recent studies that have removed it from Solanum. Red-orange fruit color is shown to be a monophyletic trait in three species of Lycopersicon, including the cultivated tomato, L. esculentum. Analysis of six accessions within L. peruvianum reveals a limited amount of intraspecific polymorphism which, however, encompasses all the variation observed in L. chilense and L. chmielewskii. It is suggested that these latter two accessions be relegated to positions within the L. peruvianum complex.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1983

Human mitochondrial DNA variation and evolution: analysis of nucleotide sequences from seven individuals.

We have analyzed nucleotide sequence variation in an approximately 900-base pair region of the human mitochondrial DNA molecule encompassing the heavy strand origin of replication and the D-loop. Our analysis has focused on nucleotide sequences available from seven humans. Average nucleotide diversity among the sequences is 1.7%, several-fold higher than estimates from restriction endonuclease site variation in mtDNA from these individuals and previously reported for other humans. This disparity is consistent with the rapidly evolving nature of this noncoding region. However, several instances of convergent or parallel gain and loss of restriction sites due to multiple substitutions were observed. In addition, other results suggest that restriction site (as well as pairwise sequence) comparisons may underestimate the total number of substitutions that have occurred since the divergence of two mtDNA sequences from a common ancestral sequence, even at low levels of divergence. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the large standard errors associated with estimates of sequence variability, particularly when constructing phylogenies among closely related sequences. Analysis of the observed number and direction of substitutions revealed several significant biases, most notably a strand dependence of substitution type and a 32-fold bias favoring transitions over transversions. The results also revealed a significantly nonrandom distribution of nucleotide substitutions and sequence length variation. Significantly more multiple substitutions were observed than expected for these closely related sequences under the assumption of uniform rates of substitution. The bias for transitions has resulted in predominantly convergent or parallel changes among the observed multiple substitutions. There is no convincing evidence that recombination has contributed to the mtDNA sequence diversity we have observed.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm: an update and look toward the future.

To date, aneurysm research has been primarily descriptive, reiterating the complex nature of the disease process. Enhanced by the convergence of matrix biochemistry, cell biology and immunology, this work is providing important new insight into how matrix metabolism is regulated in the diseased aorta. The focus is now on the inflammatory process and its regulation of the matrix remodeling which occurs with abdominal aortic aneurysm. A family of matrix-degrading enzymes appear to have a central role in this process. As we have learned from the evolution of the treatment of other pathologic processes such as peptic ulcer disease, the most effective pharmacologic therapies are designed from a thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. We are quickly moving forward in formulating a comprehensive understanding of the various complex interactions that result in the formation of aortic aneurysm. Given the progress of the past decade, we can expect the identification of aneurysm-associated genes and clinical trials of anti-inflammatory medications and protease inhibitors as we enter the 21st century.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

PubMed2003

A short history of pathology registries, with emphasis on cancer registries.

In the 1950s, major technical problems for ensuring quality and effectiveness of population based registration of cancer and other conditions had been faced and solved. Nevertheless, the classical epidemiological texts published in the 1960s and the 1970s gave little attention to and showed limited enthusiasm for population-based registries of pathology. The latter, in fact, have been marginal to the dramatic evolution of basic conceptual issues such as study design and causal inference. This perspective may change with the use of registries in order to assess quality of care in a public health perspective. In looking retrospectively, marked changes occurred since the 1960s in distribution between countries and continents of cancer registries to the dataset known as "Cancer Incidence in Five Continents" (where worldwide data from cancer registries of quality converge). The number of countries with cancer registries approximately doubled vs. a fivefold increase in both the number of active cancer registries and the total population served by registration. Nevertheless the increases were concentrated in developed countries whereas in developing countries there was a substantial decrease in registration, attributable to the political and economical situation.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

PubMed1988

Distribution and diagenesis of microfossils from the lower Proterozoic Duck Creek Dolomite, Western Australia.

Two distinct generations of microfossils occur in silicified carbonates from a previously undescribed locality of the Lower Proterozoic Duck Creek Dolomite, Western Australia. The earlier generation occurs in discrete organic-rich clasts and clots characterized by microquartz anhedra; it contains a variety of filamentous and coccoidal fossils in varying states of preservation. Second generation microfossils consist almost exclusively of well-preserved Gunflintia minuta filaments that drape clasts or appear to float in clear chalcedony. These filaments appear to represent an ecologically distinct assemblage that colonized a substrate containing the partially degraded remains of the first generation community. The two assemblages differ significantly in taxonomic frequency distribution from previously described Duck Creek florules. Taken together, Duck Creek microfossils exhibit a range of assemblage variability comparable to that found in other Lower Proterozoic iron formations and ferruginous carbonates. With increasing severity of post-mortem alteration, Duck Creek microfossils appear to converge morphologically on assemblages of simple microstructures described from early Archean cherts. Two new species are described: Oscillatoriopsis majuscula and O. cuboides; the former is among the largest septate filamentous fossils described from any Proterozoic formation.

Archaea↗

PubMed2004

War of attrition with implicit time cost.

In the game-theoretic model war of attrition, players are subject to an explicit cost proportional to the duration of contests. We construct a model where the time cost is not explicitly given, but instead depends implicitly on the strategies of the whole population. We identify and analyse the underlying mechanisms responsible for the implicit time cost. Each player participates in a series of games, where those prepared to wait longer win with higher certainty but play less frequently. The model is characterized by the ratio of the winner's score to the loser's score, in a single game. The fitness of a player is determined by the accumulated score from the games played during a generation. We derive the stationary distribution of strategies under the replicator dynamics. When the score ratio is high, we find that the stationary distribution is unstable, with respect to both evolutionary and dynamical stability, and the dynamics converge to a limit cycle. When the ratio is low, the dynamics converge to the stationary distribution. For an intermediate interval of the ratio, the distribution is dynamically but not evolutionarily stable. Finally, the implications of our results for previous models based on the war of attrition are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Microsurgical anatomy of the subtentorial supracerebellar and infracerebellar approach to the trigeminal and facial nerves.

The microsurgical anatomy of the subtentorial supracerebellar approach to the trigeminal nerve and the infracerebellar lateral approach to the facial nerve was examined in five formalin-fixed adult cadavers. Particular attention was directed to the arrangement of the blood vessels within the posterior fossa, especially the superior petrosal vein and its tributaries, the superior cerebellar artery (SCA), the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). The subtentorial supracerebellar approach provides satisfactory exposure of both, the lateral segment of the SCA, which is the most common vessel involved in the neurovascular conflict resulting in trigeminal neuralgia and the y-inverted shaped superior petrosal vein. The latter results more often from the convergence of the pontotrigeminal vein and the vein of the cerebellopontine fissure. The relationship between the AICA, the PICA and the vertebral artery to the facial-vestibulocochlear complex was studied by an infracerebellar lateral approach. The subpial course of the facial nerve, where the vascular compression is usually found which results in hemifacial spasm, was also documented. These two approaches, as well as a historical review of the evolution of these surgical techniques, since the first description by Dandy, are discussed. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1992

The evolutionary convergence of hearing in a parasitoid fly and its cricket host.

Parasitism is a widespread and diverse life strategy that connects species throughout the animal kingdom. Female parasitoid flies of the genus Ormia must find a specific cricket host on which to deposit their parasitic maggots. To reproduce, female flies must perform the same task as female crickets: find a singing male cricket. These flies have evolved a unique hearing organ that allows them to detect and locate singing male crickets. Through evolutionary convergence, these flies possess a hearing organ that much more resembles a cricket's ear than a typical fly's ear, allowing these parasitoids to take advantage of the sensory ecological niche of their host.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2000

Variability in centred house-of-cards mutation models.

Convergence of variability in phenotypic models with balance between selection and mutation is analysed. The mutation assumed occurs with weak probability and brings down the evolutionary process built up by selection around the mean in the population. Gaussian approximations are used.

Biological Evolution↗

PubMed1996

Genetic divergence and fitness convergence under uniform selection in experimental populations of bacteria.

Replicate populations of bacteria were propagated for 1000 generations in the laboratory. The growth substrate was periodically renewed, so that during most generations (cell doublings) it was not limiting. The final clones demonstrated about a 40% fitness increase when competed against their common ancestor. This increase was uniform both among and within populations despite extensive differentiation in correlated traits: cell size, resistance to starvation and dry mass of culture. It is suggested that genetic diversity developed because selection promoted any changes directing cell activity toward a higher maximum growth rate. Evolution of this trait halted at a similar level when some basic constraints on bacterial metabolism were met. The selective values of emerging mutations must have depended on the genetic background. They would be beneficial early in evolution but ineffective near the limit of adaptation. This hypothesis was tested for one mutation that affected both fitness and colony morphology. In some clones it was the first adaptive mutation and provided a third of the total fitness increase, but it was not assimilated by the clones that reached the adaptive ceiling in some other way. Near the limit of adaptation, epistasis levels off the fitnesses of genetically variable clones.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2024

A time-resolved single-cell roadmap of the logic driving anterior neural crest diversification from neural border to migration stages.

Neural crest cells exemplify cellular diversification from a multipotent progenitor population. However, the full sequence of early molecular choices orchestrating the emergence of neural crest heterogeneity from the embryonic ectoderm remains elusive. Gene-regulatory-networks (GRN) govern early development and cell specification toward definitive neural crest. Here, we combine ultradense single-cell transcriptomes with machine-learning and large-scale transcriptomic and epigenomic experimental validation of selected trajectories, to provide the general principles and highlight specific features of the GRN underlying neural crest fate diversification from induction to early migration stages using Xenopus frog embryos as a model. During gastrulation, a transient neural border zone state precedes the choice between neural crest and placodes which includes multiple converging gene programs. During neurulation, transcription factor connectome, and bifurcation analyses demonstrate the early emergence of neural crest fates at the neural plate stage, alongside an unbiased multipotent-like lineage persisting until epithelial-mesenchymal transition stage. We also decipher circuits driving cranial and vagal neural crest formation and provide a broadly applicable high-throughput validation strategy for investigating single-cell transcriptomes in vertebrate GRNs in development, evolution, and disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The GYF domain.

GYF domains are small, versatile adaptor domains that recognize proline-rich sequences (PRS). They are present in most eukaryotic species sequenced so far, but in contrast to other PRS-recognition domains (PRD), GYF domains have not experienced the same amplification in metazoa during evolution. Mutational and structural analysis has shown the conserved signature W-X-Y-X(6-11)-GPF-X(4)-M-X(2)-W-X(3)-GYF to be the site of interaction with proline-rich peptides. In contrast, composition and length of the C-terminal half of GYF domains are not conserved. Similar to other PRD, GYF domains bind to many different PRS that converge on a minimal consensus sequence. All GYF domains analyzed so far selected for the core motif PPG, whereas amino-acid preferences adjacent to this motif vary. As a result of this analysis, two subfamilies have been identified: CD2BP2-type and SMY2-type GYF domains. The latter subfamily comprises most GYF domains and is characterized by a shorter beta(1)-beta(2) loop and an aspartate instead of the tryptophan found at position 8 in CD2BP2-type GYF domains. Recent analysis of binding specificities for GYF domains allowed identification of novel interaction partners. Thereby proteomics has contributed to a functional understanding of GYF domain-containing proteins and sets the stage for a more systematic investigation of their functions in vivo.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed1994

Behavioral optometry: a historical perspective.

BACKGROUND: The term behavioral optometry is often used to refer to all aspects of practice associated with case analysis and vision therapy. Practitioners with differing backgrounds and perspectives may use the term differently, resulting in poor communication. METHODS: The evolution of behavioral optometry is reviewed from a historical perspective, to identify the various lines along which the field has developed and to clarify the differing perspectives that result. RESULTS: Behavioral optometry had its origins in strabismus orthoptics and in case analysis systems developed to resolve asthenopic complaints in nonstrabismic individuals. From these roots, behavioral optometry has evolved along two complementary lines. Traditional, physiologically-based models emphasize accommodation-convergence relationships and the mechanisms of vergence dysfunction. Behavioral approaches emphasize the influence of environment and experience upon visual function, the relationship of vision to other aspects of organismic behavior, and the role of vision as a modality for gathering and processing information. CONCLUSIONS: The past 50 years has brought substantial growth in the scope of behavioral optometric care, with consideration of the role of vision in relation to school achievement, VDT use, sports, spatial and motor organization, and information-processing. Models of care emphasize prevention, remediation, rehabilitation, and enhancement. Behavioral optometry is an integral component of optometric education and practice.

Behavioral Medicine↗

PubMed1997

On the development of Cetacean extremities: II. Morphogenesis and histogenesis of the flippers in the spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata).

Externally, the flippers of Cetacea resemble fish fins, but their internal structure is entirely mammalian. They show, however, some adaptative deviations from the typical pattern of the mammalian extremities, the most striking of which is an increased number of phalanges. The aim of this study is to describe the course of the development of flippers in the spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) and compare its features with other similar species from an evolutionary perspective. Early stages of flipper development were studied histologically. Differentiation of cartilaginous anlagens of the skeleton progresses proximodistally, condensation in digital rays being evident sooner than chondrogenesis in the carpal region. In one specimen, the temporary presence of cartilaginous rudiments of two carpal elements, which are not found in adults, was observed. At all examined stages, phalangeal number progressively increases up to (radial to ulnar) 3, 7, 7, 5, 3 in the most advanced stage. The reason for this condition is the specialised function of these limb-like structures. It is a classical example of convergence, in which mammalian extremities change their form to emulate the fin function. A similar condition is found in another group of originally terrestrial animals secondarily fully adapted to the aquatic mode of life-Ichyosauria (Reptilia).

Adaptation, Physiological↗