Phylogenetic network Analysis of CDC20 Genes
Parul Johri
Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Malhaur, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow-226010 (India) pjohri@lko.amity.edu; +91 9838144680
ABSTRACT
Phylogenetic analysis gives an insight into evolution and determines the historical relationships among species. A valid establishment of phylogenetic tree allows us to identify the lineage of group of organisms in which a specific character appeared or disappeared due to mutation. The mechanism of evolution of any specific character of interest can be understood through phylogenetics. CDC20 gene, encodes CDC20 protein which plays a significant role as the regulator of cell division. This gene is present throughout the eukaryotic life forms from Kingdom Protista to Animalia i.e., from lowest eukaryote to highest eukaryote. CDC20 genes of various eukaryotes were retrieved from online databases and were subjected to multiple sequence analysis using ClustalX and further for phylogenetic analysis using Phylip software. The phylogenetic tree hence generated was analyzed for clads and clustering. Three main clads were identified with some more intermittent clades. The Phylogenetic tree showed that CDC20 gene is the primitive gene showing its existence from early eukaryotes i.e. Kingdom Protista to recently evolved eukaryotes Kingdom Animalia. The results showed phylogenetic position of CDC20 gene in diverse levels of cataloging in different Kingdoms. Some clusters showed up to 83-85% divergence among organisms belonging to same or different Kingdom. These annotations show that CDC20 gene is conserved during the course of evolution and that the species in the clades are close kinsfolks to each other. The phylogenetic tree raised using PHYLIP software shows that the kingdom animalia has evolved the latest during the course of evolution of CDC20 gene supporting the view of Five Kingdom Classification by R.H. Whittaker.