A gene for speed? The evolution and function of alpha-actinin-3

Article Abstract:

Alpha-actinin-3 is the most-highly specialized of the four mammalian alpha-actinins, with its expression restricted largely to fast glycolytic fibres in skeletal muscle. It provides a fascinating case study in molecular evolution, illustrating phenomena such as functional redundancy in duplicate genes, the evolution of protein function and the action of natural selection during recent human evolution.

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R-spondin1-discovery of the long-missing, mammalian female-determining gene?

Article Abstract:

The sex determination process in mammals, for long described as a male determination process, is challenged by the discovery that the gene encoding R-spondin1 is mutated in human patients with female-to-male sex reversal. The possible roles of R-spondin1 during sex determination are discussed.

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Mammalian histidine decarboxylase: From structure to function

Article Abstract:

A comprehensive review of the structural and functional characteristics of mammalian histidine decarboxylase is presented. Histamine biosynthesis depends on a single decarboxylation step, carried out by a PLP-dependent histidine decarboxylase activity.

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