Key result
Evolutionary analysis shows the vertebrate IGFBP gene family formed through local duplication and tetraploidizations.
Why the study?
The evolution of the IGF binding protein (IGFBP) gene family has been difficult to resolve.
Population
IGFBP sequences from vertebrate species, Branchiostoma floridae, and Ciona intestinalis
Design
Comparative genomic and phylogenetic sequence analysis
Authors
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Offers no immediate clinical implications; extends evolutionary framework for IGFBP research in vertebrates.
The IGFBP gene family expanded through local gene duplication and subsequent whole-genome duplications early in vertebrate evolution, with distinct functions evolving early and being retained.
Daza et al. (2011) studied this question. Evolutionary analysis of the IGFBP gene family across vertebrate species indicates that the ancestral chordate gene underwent local duplication followed by tetraploidizations to form the current repertoire.