Neofunctionalization of tandem duplicate genes encoding putative β-l-arabinofuranosidases in Arabidopsis

Tandem duplicate genes encoding putative beta-l-arabinofuranosidase developed divergent biological functions and contributed to the phenotypic evolution in Arabidopsis. Tandem duplication, one of the major types of duplication, provides the raw material for the evolution of divergent functions. In this study, we identified 1 pair of tandem duplicate genes (AT5G12950 and AT5G12960) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that originated within the last 16 million years after the split of Arabidopsis from the Capsella-Boechera ancestor. We systematically used bioinformatic tools to redefine their putative biochemical function as beta-l-arabinofuranosidases that release l-Arabinose from the beta-l-Araf-containing molecules in Arabidopsis. Comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic analyses using various datasets showed divergent expression patterns among tissues between the 2 duplicate genes. We further collected phenotypic data from 2 types of measurements to indicate that AT5G12950 and AT5G12960 have different roles resulting in divergent phenotypic effects. Overall, AT5G12950 and AT5G12960 represent putative beta-l-arabinofuranosidase encoding genes in Arabidopsis. After duplication, 1 duplicate copy developed diverged biological functions and contributed to a different phenotypic evolution in Arabidopsis.

Automated summary

In Arabidopsis, tandem duplicate genes AT5G12950 and AT5G12960 have developed divergent biological functions and contributed to phenotypic evolution. These genes originated within the last 16 million years and are putative beta-l-arabinofuranosidase encoding genes in Arabidopsis. Comprehensive transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed divergent expression patterns and phenotypic effects between the two duplicate genes.