Ricerc@Sapienza

Divergence of paralogous pairs, resulting from gene duplication, plays an important role in the evolution of specialized or novel gene functions. Analysis of selected duplicated pairs has elucidated some of the mechanisms underlying the functional diversification ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae(S.cerevisiae) paralogous genes. Similar studies of the orthologous pairs extant in pre-whole genome duplication yeast species, such asKluyveromyces lactis(K. lactis) remain to be addressed. The genome ofK. lactis, an aerobic yeast, includes gene pairs generated by sporadic duplications.

Proteins of the ShK superfamily are characterized by a small conserved domain (ShKT), first discovered in small venom peptides produced by sea anemones, and acting as specific inhibitors of voltage-dependent and calcium-activated K+ channels. The ShK superfamily includes both small toxic peptides and larger multifunctional proteins with various functions. ShK toxins are often important components of animal venoms, where they perform different biological functions including neurotoxic and immunosuppressive effects.