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The chimpanzee GH locus: composition, organization, and evolution

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posted on 2023-06-09, 09:15 authored by Antonio A Pérez-Maya, Iram P Rodríguez-Sánchez, Pieter de Jong, Michael Wallis, Hugo A Barrera-Saldaña
In most mammals the growth hormone (GH) locus comprises a single gene expressed primarily in the anterior pituitary gland. However, in higher primates multiple duplications of the GH gene gave rise to a complex locus containing several genes. In man this locus comprises 5 genes including GH-N (expressed in pituitary) and four genes expressed in the placenta, but in other species the number and organization of these genes varies. The situation in chimpanzee has been unclear, with suggestions of up to seven GH-like genes. We have re-examined the GH locus in chimpanzee and have deduced the complete sequence. The locus includes five genes apparently organized in a similar fashion to those in human, with two of these genes encoding GH-like proteins, and three encoding chorionic somatomammotropins/placental lactogens (CSHs/PLs). There are notable differences between the human and chimpanzee loci with regard to the expressed proteins, gene regulation and gene conversion events. In particular, one human gene (hCSH-L) has changed substantially since the chimpanzee/human split, potentially becoming a pseudogene, while the corresponding chimpanzee gene (CSH-A1) has been conserved, giving a product almost identical to the adjacent CSH-A2. Chimpanzee appears to produce two CSHs, with potentially differing biological properties, whereas human produces a single CSH. The pattern of gene conversion in human has been quite different from that in chimpanzee. The region around the GH-N gene in chimpanzee is remarkable polymorphic, unlike the corresponding region in human. The results shed new light on the complex evolution of the GH-locus in higher primates.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Mammalian Genome

ISSN

0938-8990

Publisher

Springer Verlag

Volume

23

Page range

387-398

Department affiliated with

  • Biochemistry Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-12-11

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-12-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-12-08

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