Elektrophysiologie / Electrophysiology (Leitung: Prof. Dr.
Wolf-Michael Weber)
Na+/K+-ATPase and its implication for bilaterian evolution (Project 4)
Within the past few years the phylogenetic tree is discussed controversially regarding the position of the different bilaterian groups. There are two varying views of
evolution: the classical one based on morphological structures where the annelids and arthropods are combined in the group of Articulata, and a new hypothesis based on
molecular datasets, which divides the protostomian groups in Ecdysozoa and Lophotrochozoa. The Na+/K+-ATPase is a highly conserved
protein, which belongs to the family of P-type ATPases. It is a heterodimer composed of α- and β-subunits with molecular masses of 100 or 36 kDa,
respectively. The protein fullfills a very important role in maintaining the homeostasis of cells and can be found in almost all eukaryotic animals. Due to its similar
molecular structure throughout the animal kingdom the Na+/K+-ATPase is an excellent marker for phylogenetic studies. Here we report the
molecular cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Na+/K+-ATPase cDNAs from some invertebrate species and the tunicate Ciona
intestinalis. Therefore, we screened different cDNA libraries with species specific digoxigenin labelled probes and phylogenetic analysis were performed by using
MrBayes xx. We found the Na+/K+-ATPase of the nematode C. elegans in a sistergroup position with arthropod
Na+/K+-ATPases and annelid and molluscan Na+/K+-ATPases in a common clade. However, the phylogenetic tree of
Na+/K+-ATPase cDNAs strongly supports the Ecdysozoa/Lophotrochozoa hypothesis with robust posterior probabilities.
More information: http://www.uni-muenster.de/Biologie.Zoophysiologie/electrophys/ElectroHome.htm
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