The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase F0 subunit 8 gene (atp8) had been believed to be absent in mitochondrial genomes of platyhelminths until the late 2010s, since when multiple lines of emergent evidence have suggested that this gene is actually present, albeit in highly derived forms, throughout the entire phylum except for the parasitic Neodermata (tapeworms, flukes, and their kin). Of about 11 non-parasitic (turbellarian) major platyhelminth subtaxa, the existence of atp8 has hitherto been documented in five (Catenulida, Macrostomorpha, Polycladida, Rhabdocoela, and Tricladida), while it remains open in the remaining six (Prorhynchida, Gnosonesmida, Proseriata, Fecampiida, Prolecithophora, and Bothrioplanida). Here we report the mitochondrial genome sequence of an undetermined marine interstitial turbellarian species in the genus Nematoplana Meixner, 1938 as the first representative of Proseriata. This circular genome comprises 16,106 bp (but potentially 18,812–19,277 bp when unresolved, non-coding tandem repeats are considered) and includes 38 genes, viz. 23 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (including the putative atp8), and two ribosomal RNA genes. The putative atp8 in Nematoplana sp. was not annotated by a standard automated procedure but was detected by manual inspection. If it encodes a translated product, it consists of 156 bp, with the potential 52-amino-acid-residue product beginning with MPHV, instead of the metazoan-canonical MPQL, and containing a single putative transmembrane region expanding from the 7th to the 29th amino-acid positions. While our finding seemingly strengthens the hypothesis that atp8 is in the ground pattern of flatworm mitochondrial genomes, whether the putative atp8 in flatworms is actually transcribed and translated to form a functional ATP synthetase F0 subunit should be tested in future studies.

Daisuke Shimada

Shimpei F. Hiruta

Kazuhiro Takahoshi

Hiroshi Kajihara

Animal Gene

Gene Reports publishes papers that focus on the regulation, expression, function and evolution of genes in all biological contexts, including all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, as well as viruses.    Gene Reports strives to be a very diverse journal and topics in all fields will be considered for publication. Although not limited to the following, some general topics include:    DNA Organization, Replication & Evolution -Focus on genomic DNA (chromosomal organization, comparative genomics, DNA replication, DNA repair, mobile DNA, mitochondrial DNA, chloroplast DNA).  Expression & Function - Focus on functional RNAs (microRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, mRNA splicing, alternative polyadenylation)  Regulation - Focus on processes that mediate gene-read out (epigenetics, chromatin, histone code, transcription, translation, protein degradation).  Cell Signaling - Focus on mechanisms that control information flow into the nucleus to control gene expression (kinase and phosphatase pathways controlled by extra-cellular ligands, Wnt, Notch, TGFbeta/BMPs, FGFs, IGFs etc.)  Profiling of gene expression and genetic variation - Focus on high throughput approaches (e.g., DeepSeq, ChIP-Seq, Affymetrix microarrays, proteomics) that define gene regulatory circuitry, molecular pathways and protein/protein networks.  Genetics - Focus on development in model organisms (e.g., mouse, frog, fruit fly, worm), human genetic variation, population genetics, as well as agricultural and veterinary genetics.  Molecular Pathology & Regenerative Medicine - Focus on the deregulation of molecular processes in human diseases and mechanisms supporting regeneration of tissues through pluripotent or multipotent stem cells.

The journal "Animal Gene" publishes research papers focusing on the regulation, expression, function, and evolution of genes across various biological contexts, including all prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, as well as viruses. We aim to be a diverse journal that welcomes submissions from all fields. Some key areas of research include: \n\n1. DNA Organization, Replication & Evolution: Focus on genomic DNA (chromosomal organization, comparative genomics, DNA replication, DNA repair, mobile DNA, mitochondrial DNA, chloroplast DNA).\n\n2. Expression & Function: Focus on functional RNAs (microRNAs, tRNAs, rRNAs, mRNA splicing, alternative polyadenylation).\n\n3. Regulation: Focus on processes that mediate gene expression (epigenetics, chromatin, histone code, transcription, translation, protein degradation).\n\n4. Cell Signaling: Focus on mechanisms that control information flow into the nucleus to regulate gene expression (kinase and phosphatase pathways controlled by extracellular ligands, Wnt, Notch, TGFbeta/BMPs, FGFs, IGFs, etc.).\n\n5. Profiling of Gene Expression and Genetic Variation: Focus on high-throughput approaches (e.g., DeepSeq, ChIP-Seq, Affymetrix microarrays, proteomics) that define gene regulatory circuitry, molecular pathways, and protein/protein networks.\n\n6. Genetics: Focus on development in model organisms (e.g., mouse, frog, fruit fly, worm), human genetic variation, population genetics, as well as agricultural and veterinary genetics.\n\n7. Molecular Pathology & Regenerative Medicine: Focus on the deregulation of molecular processes in human diseases and the mechanisms supporting tissue regeneration through pluripotent or multipotent stem cells.

《Animal Gene》期刊致力于发表关于基因在各种生物背景下的调控、表达、功能和进化的研究论文，涵盖所有原核生物和真核生物以及病毒。我们期望成为一个多样化的期刊，欢迎各个领域的主题投稿。以下是一些主要研究方向：\n\n1. DNA的组织、复制与进化：关注基因组DNA（染色体组织、比较基因组学、DNA复制、DNA修复、移动DNA、线粒体DNA、叶绿体DNA）。\n\n2. 表达与功能：关注功能性RNA（微RNA、转运RNA、核糖体RNA、mRNA剪接、替代多腺苷酸化）。\n\n3. 调控：关注介导基因表达的过程（表观遗传学、染色质、组蛋白代码、转录、翻译、蛋白质降解）。\n\n4. 细胞信号传导：关注控制信息流入细胞核以调控基因表达的机制（由细胞外配体控制的激酶和磷酸酶通路、Wnt、Notch、TGFbeta/BMPs、FGFs、IGFs等）。\n\n5. 基因表达和遗传变异的分析：关注高通量方法（如DeepSeq、ChIP-Seq、Affymetrix微阵列、蛋白质组学）来定义基因调控电路、分子通路和蛋白质/蛋白质网络。\n\n6. 遗传学：关注模式生物（如小鼠、青蛙、果蝇、线虫）中的发育、人类遗传变异、群体遗传学，以及农业和兽医学遗传学。\n\n7. 分子病理学与再生医学：关注人类疾病中分子过程的失调及通过多能或多潜能干细胞支持组织再生的机制。

Does atp8 exist in the mitochondrial genome of Proseriata (Metazoa: Platyhelminthes)?

ivySCI AI Smartly Parses PDF, Answers Researchers' Questions, and Helps You Understand Papers in Seconds

Journal Info