Evolution of Intelectin Genes in the Chordates

Intelectin is a type of lectin found in a wide range of chordate species. In order to gain a better understanding of the evolution of intelectin genes, a genome database search was carried out for intelectin genes in 56 chordate species. Intelectin genes were absent from a number of taxa, including birds, carnivoran mammals, bats, and some fish. The number of intelectin genes varied significantly between species. A phylogenetic analysis of the collected intelectin genes revealed numerous recent duplications in many species. Maximum likelihood analyses of dN/dS ratios in intelectin evolution revealed that two intelectin paralogs in the primates are evolving at fairly similar rates. However, a comparison between marsupials and placental mammals reveals a much lower rate of amino acid change in the placental mammals than in the marsupials.