Search tips Search criteria  Results 1-12 (12)  Clipboard (0)
Year of Publication Document Types 1.  Evolution of AANAT:
expansion of the gene family in the cephalochordate amphioxus 
The arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) family is divided
into structurally distinct vertebrate and non-vertebrate groups.
Expression of vertebrate AANATs is limited primarily to the
pineal gland and retina, where it plays a role in controlling
the circadian rhythm in melatonin synthesis. Based on the role
melatonin plays in biological timing, AANAT has been given the
moniker "the Timezyme". Non-vertebrate AANATs, which occur in
fungi and protists, are thought to play a role in detoxification
and are not known to be associated with a specific tissue. We
have found that the amphioxus genome contains seven AANATs, all
having non-vertebrate type features. This and the absence of
AANATs from the genomes of Hemichordates and Urochordates
support the view that a major transition in the evolution of the
AANATs may have occurred