Ra. Veitia et Ld. Hurst, Accelerated molecular evolution of insect orthologues of ERG28/C14orf1: a link with ecdysteroid metabolism?, J GENETICS, 80(1), 2001, pp. 17-21
We have analysed the evolution of ERG28/C14orf1, a gene coding for a protei
n involved in sterol biosynthesis. While primary sequence of the protein is
well conserved in all organisms able to synthesize sterols de novo, strong
divergence is noticed in insects, which are cholesterol auxotrophs. In spi
te of this virtual acceleration, our analysis suggests that the insect orth
ologues are evolving today at rates similar to those of the remaining membe
rs of the family. A plausible way to explain this acceleration and subseque
nt stabilization is that Erg28 plays a role in at least two different pathw
ays. Discontinuation of the cholesterogenesis pathway in insects allowed th
e protein to evolve as much as the function in the other pathway was not co
mpromised.