Eisen Lab Blog

BLAST from the past – a bit of history behind Craig Pikaard’s discovery in 2000 of RNA Pol IV in Arabidopsis

I saw this post by Craig Pikaard on Facebook and it brought back some memories:

New paper from my lab in which we identified the RNAs made by RNA Polymerase IV, an enzyme we discovered ~15 years ago. Took us more than ten years to find the little buggers, but we finally got ’em. The paper is “open access”, meaning that anyone can read it without paying a download fee or subscription. So have at it if you need a nap. 

 

And the post included a link to a new paper in Elife.  This brought back memories because I had a small part in the discovery (or more accurately, some post discovery analysis).  So – let’s step into a time machine here provided by, well, me keeping all my email forever I guess.

It was September 2000.  I was working as a faculty member at TIGR (The Institute for Genomic Research) and I was doing some evolutionary analysis of the Arabidopsis thaliana genome, for what would become my most highly cited paper: Analysis of the genome sequence of the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana.  And then on Sept 6 day I got an email from someone who I had gotten to know a little bit who was also analyzing the genome:

———————————-
9/6

Dear Jonathan, 

In helping Mike Bevan search for the general transcription machinery, I’ve
stumbled across something odd that might also interest you given its
evolutionary implications. 

There should be three related genes in the Arabidopsis genome (or more if
any of the genes are duplicated) encoding ~135 kd (2nd largest)
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunits – one each for pol I, II and III.
These subunits are similar and are clearly related to one another (also to
the B subunit of the single bacterial RNA polymerase) yet they have
distinct motifs that allow them to be placed in each class (pol I, II, or
III) based on clustal analysis with orthologs from other species. Anyway,
there ARE three distinct ~135 kd subunit genes in the thaliana genome and
based on multiple alignments vs. mouse, yeast, drosophila etc genes, and
clustal analysis to draw phylogenetic trees, one is clearly for pol II, and
one is clearly for pol III. The third paralog is strange- it does not group
with other pol I 135 kd subunits (from yeast, Drosophila, Euplotes, mouse,
C. elegans), nor with pol II or III subunits. In fact, it appears as an
outgroup even when archael subunits (e.g. Sulfolobus) are included in the
analysis: archael subunits are more closely related to the pol II second
largest subunit than the mystery subunit is to other pol I, II, or III
subunits. By BLAST searching Genbank, the mystery subunit does not match
anything better than eukaryotic 135 kd subunits and it doesn’t look like a
chloroplast or mitochondrial subunit. I’m wondering if a plant Pol I can
really be that weird. 

Is this something you would be interested in looking at if I send you the
protein sequences for clustal analysis? 

Cheers
Craig 

Craig S. Pikaard
Associate Professor
Biology Department, Washington University
Campus Box 1137, One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130

Now this certainly seemed interesting and as I was doing a variety of analyses of RNA polymerase homologs for some studies of the evolution of microbes, it was something I actually knew a little bit about. So I wrote back immediately:

Craig 

This sounds quite interesting. I have found that for many of the DNA repair genes I have been looking at, the A. thaliana genes do show quite long branches, so long branches might be a possibility. A good phylogenetic analysis should be able to detemrine if that is the case. If you send me the sequences and/or an alignment, I would be happy to put them through a more deailed phylogenetic analysis.

Jonathan

Then, a few minutes later I got another email:

Hi Jonathan,

I’m pasting below the sequences I used for the multiple alignments (using
DNAStar), starting with the mystery gene and then known second subunits of
pol I, II, III, and archae.
Thanks for having a look at this.
Craig
———–

Arabidopsis mystery gene (from chromosome 3):
DEFINITION DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II [Arabidopsis thaliana].
ACCESSION BAB02021
A. thal chromosome III sequence. Does not group with pol I, II or III
despite its description. Two chromosome 3 P1 clones and two partial cDNAs
(that are the same)from developing seeds match it (see accessions below,
with match scores)
GSDB:S:3264005|AB020749|AB020749|Arabidopsis thaliana genomic D… 598 0.0
GSDB:S:4681131|AP000377|AP000377|Arabidopsis thaliana genomic D… 566 0.0
GSDB:S:1038672|Z19120|ATRNAPIIM|A.thaliana mRNA for RNA polymer… 504 e-142
GSDB:S:8430488|BE522782|BE522782|M28H12STM Arabidopsis developi… 171
1e-046
GSDB:S:8430529|BE522823|BE522823|M29C3STM Arabidopsis developin… 171
2e-041

mdvdeiesagqiniselgesflqtfckkaatsffeefglishqlnsynffiehglqnvfesfgdilvepsfdvikkkdgd
wryatvfkkivikhdkfktgqdeyvekeildvkkqdiligsipvmvksvlcktsekgkenckkgncafdqggyfvikgae
kvfiaqeqmctkrlwisnspwtvsfrsetkrnrfivrlsenekaedykimekvltvyflsteipvwllffalgvssdkea
mdliafdgddasitnsliasiheadavceafrcgnnaltyvehqikstkfppaesvddclrlylfpclqglkkkarflgy
mvkcllsayagkrkcenrdsfrnkrielagellereirvhlaharrkmtramqkqlsgdgdlkpiehyldasvitnglnr
afstgawshpfrkmervsgvvanlgranplqtlidlrrtrqqvlytgkvgdarhphpshwgrvcflstpdgencglvknm
sllglvstqglesvvemlftcgmeelmndtstplcgkhkvllngdwvglcadsesfvgelksrrrqselplemeikrdkd
dnevriftdagrllrpllvvenlhklkqdkptqypfkhlldqgileligieeeedcttawgikqllkepknythceldls
fllgvscaivpfanhdhgkrvlyqsqkhcqqaigfsstnpnircdtlsqqlfypqkplfktlaseclekevlfngqnaiv
avnvhlgynqedsivmnkaslergmfrseqirsykaevdtkdsekrkkmdelvqfgktyskigkvdsleddgfpfiganm
stgdivigrctesgadhsiklkhtergivqkvvlssndegknfaavslrqvrspclgdkfssmhgqkgvlgyleeqqnfp
ftiqgivpdivinphafpsrqtpgqlleaalskgiacpiqkkegssaaytkltrhatpfstpgvteiteqlhragfsrwg
nervyngrsgemmrslifmgptfyqrlvhmsenkvkfrntgpvhpltrqpvadrkrfggirfgemerdcliahgasanlh
erlftlsdssqmhicrkcktyanviertpssgrkirgpycrvcassdhvvrvyvpygakllcqelfsmgitlnfdtklc
——————————— 

Known Pol I ~135 kd subunits: 

Yeast (S. cerevisae)
MSKVIKPPGQARTADFRTLERESRFINPPKDKSAFPLLQEAVQPHIGSFNALTEGPDGGLLNLGVKDIGEKVIFDGKPLN
SEDEISNSGYLGNKLSVSVEQVSIAKPMSNDGVSSAVERKVYPSESRQRLTSYRGKLLLKLKWSVNNGEENLFEVRDCGG
LPVMLQSNRCHLNKMSPYELVQHKEESDEIGGYFIVNGIEKLIRMLIVQRRNHPMAIIRPSFANRGASYSHYGIQIRSVR
PDQTSQTNVLHYLNDGQVTFRFSWRKNEYLVPVVMILKALCHTSDREIFDGIIGNDVKDSFLTDRLELLLRGFKKRYPHL
QNRTQVLQYLGDKFRVVFQASPDQSDLEVGQEVLDRIVLVHLGKDGSQDKFRMLLFMIRKLYSLVAGECSPDNPDATQHQ
EVLLGGFLYGMILKEKIDEYLQNIIAQVRMDINRGMAINFKDKRYMSRVLMRVNENIGSKMQYFLSTGNLVSQSGLDLQQ
VSGYTVVAEKINFYRFISHFRMVHRGSFFAQLKTTTVRKLLPESWGFLCPVHTPDGSPCGLLNHFAHKCRISTQQSDVSR
IPSILYSLGVAPASHTFAAGPSLCCVQIDGKIIGWVSHEQGKIIADTLRYWKVEGKTPGLPIDLEIGYVPPSTRGQYPGL
YLFGGHSRMLRPVRYLPLDKEDIVGPFEQVYMNIAVTPQEIQNNVHTHVEFTPTNILSILANLTPFSDFNQSPRNMYQCQ
MGKQTMGTPGVALCHRSDNKLYRLQTGQTPIVKANLYDDYGMDNFPNGFNAVVAVISYTGYDMDDAMIINKSADERGFGY
GTMYKTEKVDLALNRNRGDPITQHFGFGNDEWPKEWLEKLDEDGLPYIGTYVEEGDPICAYFDDTLNKTKIKTYHSSEPA
YIEEVNLIGDESNKFQELQTVSIKYRIRRTPQIGDKFSSRHGQKGVCSRKWPTIDMPFSETGIQPDIIINPHAFPSRMTI
GMFVESLAGKAGALHGIAQDSTPWIFNEDDTPADYFGEQLAKAGYNYHGNEPMYSGATGEELRADIYVGVVYYQRLRHMV
NDKFQVRSTGPVNSLTMQPVKGRKRHGGIRVGEMERDALIGHGTSFLLQDRLLNSSDYTQASVCRECGSILTTQQSVPRI
GSISTVCCRRCSMRFEDAKKLLTKSEDGEKIFIDDSQIWEDGQGNKFVGGNETTTVAIPFVLKYLDSELSAMGIRLRYNV
EPK
 

C. elegans
MDCDIASYHVDSFDFLVSKGCQFAAQAVPAEKFRLKNGDAVTMKFTSAQLHKPTLDTGAKLTSDTLPLLPAECRQRGLTY
AGNLKVGIDVHVNGSRLDIIEIILGKVPIMLRSEGCHLRGMSRKELVVAGEEPIEKGGYFIVNGSEKVIRLLIANRRNFP
IAIIRKTFKEKGKLFSEFGVMMRSVKENHTAVMMTLHYLDTGTMQLALQFRREIFYVPLMYIVKALTDKNDAVISAGFKR
GRNQDQFYSSCILNMLAQCQEEEILNQEAAIRAIGSRFRVAVSDRVAPWEDDLEAGRFIIRECVLIHLDSDEEKFHTLAY
MTQKLIALVKGECAPETPDNPQFQEASVSGHILLLILRERMENIIGMVRRKLEYMSSRKDFILTSAAILKALGNHTGGEI
TRGMAYFLATGNLVTRVGLALQQESGFSVIAERINQLRFVSHFRAIHRGAFFMEMRTTDVRKLRPEAWGFICPVHTPDGA
PCGLLNHVTASCRIVTDLSDNSNVPSLLAELGMYTHKTVALAPPGEELYPVLMNGRFLGYVPITKAASIERYLRCAKVAK
DARIPYTSEIALVRRSTDIKNIQTQYPGIYILSDAGRLIRPVRNLAMDAVEHIGTFEQVYLSVVLDPEEAEPGVTMHQEL
HPSCLFSFAGNLIPFPDHNQSPRNVYQCQMGKQTMGTAVHAWHSRADNKMYRLQFPQQPMLKLEAYEKYEMDEYPLGTNA
CVAVISYTGYDMEDAMTINKASYQRGFAHGTVIKVERINLVTERERKTIFYRNPREEIKTVGPDGLPIPGRRYFLDEVYY
VTFNMETGDFRTHKFHYAEPAYCGLVRIVEQGEGDSGAKHALIQWRIERNPIIGDKFASRHGQKGINSFLWPVESLPFSE
TGMVPDIIFNPHGFPSRMTIGMMIESMAGKAAATHGENYDASPFVFNEDNTAINHFGELLTKAGYNYYGNETFYSGVDGR
QMEMQIFFGIVYYQRLRHMIADKFQVRATGPIDPITHQPVKGRKKGGGIRFGEMERDAIIAHGTSFVLQDRLLNCSDRDV
AYACRRCGSLLSVLMSSRAGSHLLKKKRKDDEPLDYTETQRCRTCDKDDQVFLLQVPRVFRYLTAELAAMNVKIKLGIEH
PSKVTGS
 

D. melanogaster
MLEEMQQMKTIPVLTNSRPEFKQIPKKLSRHLANLGGPHVDSFDEMLTVGLDNSAKHMIPNHWLSPAGEKISMKVESIWI
AKPKVPQDVIDVRTREIYPTDSRQLHVSYSGMCSVRLGWSVNGVQKTPINMDLGEVPIMLRSKACNLGQATPEEMVKHGE
HDSEWGGIFVIRGNEKIVRMLIMTRRNHPICVKRSSWKDRGQNFSDLGMLVQTVREDESSLSNVVHYLNNGTAKFMFSHV
KRLSYVPVCLILKCLMDYTDEEIYNRLVQGYESDQYYVSCVQAMLREVQNENVYTHAQCKSFIGNLFRARFPEVPEWQPD
DDVTDFILRERVMIHLDTYEDKFQLIVFMIQKLFQCAQGKYKVENVDSSMMQEVLLPGHLYQKYLSERVESWVSQVRRCL
QKKLTSPDALVTSAVMTQCMRQAGGVGRAIESFLATGNIASRTGLGLMQNSGLVIMAENINRMRYMSHFRAIHRGSYFTT
MRTTEARQLLPDAWGFICPVHTPDGTPCGLLNHLTLTCEISMRPDPKLVKAIPKHLIDMGMMPLSNRRYLGEKLYVVFLD
GKHLGHIHQSEAEKIVDELRYGKIFGTLPQMMEIGFIPFKKNGQFPGLYIATGPARLMRPVWNLKWKRVEYIGTLEQLYM
EIAIDAKEMYPDFTTHLELAKTHFMSNLANLIPMPDYNQSPRNMYQCQMGKQTMGTPCLNWPKQAANKLYRLQTPGTPLF
RPVHYDIIQLDDFAMGTNAIVAVISYTGYDMEDAMIINKAAYERGFAYGSIYKTKFLTLDKKSSYFARHPHMPELIKHLD
TDGLPHPGSKLSYGSPLYCYFDGEVATYKVVKMDEKEDCIVESIRQLGSFDLSPTKMVAITLRVPRPATIGDKFASRAGQ
KGICSQKYPAEDLPFTESGLIPDIVFNPHGFPSRMTIAMMIETMAGKGAAIHGNVYDATPFRFSEENTAIDYFGKMLEAG
GYNYYGTERLYSGVDGREMTADIFFGVVHYQRLRHMVFDKWQVRSTGAVEARTHQPIKGRKRGGGVRFGEMERDALISHG
AAFLLQDRLFHNSDKTHTLVCHKCGSILAPLQRIVKRNETGGLSSQPDTCRLCGDNSSVSMIEIPFSFKYLVTELSSVNI
NARFKLNEI
 

mouse
MDVDGRWRNLPSGPSLKHLTDPSYGIPPEQQKAALQDLTRAHVDSFNYAALEGLSHAVQAIPPFEFAFKDERISLTIVDA
VISPPSVPKGTICKDLNVYPAECRGRKSTYRGRLTADISWAVNGVPKGIIKQFLGYVPIMVKSKLCNLYNLPPRVLIEHH
EEAEEMGGYFIINGIEKVIRMLIEPRRNFPVAMVRPKWKSRGLGYTQFGVSMRCVREEHSAVNMNLHYVENGTVMLNFIY
RKELFFLPLGFALKALVSFSDYQIFQELIKGKEEDSFFRNSVSQMLRIVIEEGCHSQKQVLNYLGECFRVKLSLPDWYPN
VEAAEFLLNQGICIHLQSNTDKFYLRCLMTRKLFALARGECMDDNPDSLVNQEVLSPGQLFLMFLKEKMENWLVSIKIVL
DKRAQKANVSINNENLMKIFSMGTELTRPFEYLLATGNLRSKTGLGFLEDSGLCVVADKLNFLRYLSHFRCVHRGAAFAK
MRTTTVRRLLPESWGFLCPVHTPDGAPCGLLNHLTAVCEVVTKFGDTASIPALLCGLGVTGADTAPCRPYSDCYPVLLDG
VMVGWVDKDLAPEVADTLRRFKVLREKRIPPWMEVALIPMTGKPSLYPGLFLFTTPCRLVRPVQNLELGREELIGTMEQL
FMNVAIFEDEVFGGISTHQELFPHSLLSVIANFIPFSDHNQSPRNMYQCQMGKQTMGFPLLTYQNRSDNKLYRLQTPQSP
LVRPCMYDFYDMDNYPIGTNAIVAVISYTGYDMEDAMIVNKASWERGFAHGSVYKSEFIDLSEKFKQGEDNLVFGVKPGD
PRVMQKLDDDGLPSIGAKLEYGDPYYSYLNLNTGEGFVVYYKSKENCVVDNIKVCSNDMGSGKFKCICITVRIPRNPTIG
DKFASRHGQKGILSRLWPAEDMPFTESGMMPDILFNPHGFPSRMTIGMLIESMAGKSAALHGLCHDATPFIFSEENSALE
YFGEMLKAAGYNFYGTERLYSGISGMELEADIFIGVVYYQRLRHMVSDKFQVRTTGARDKVTNQPLGGRNVQGGIRFGEM
ERDALLAHGTSFLLHDRLFNCSDRSVAHVCVECGSLLSPLLEKPPPSWSAMRNRKYNCTVCGRSDTIDTVSVPYVFRYFV
AELAAMNIKVKLDVI
 

Euplotes
MKTNAKFDRKEISKIYKNIARHHIDSFDFAMSTCLNRACEHMLPFDYIVPEESASCGFKKLTLWYDSFELGQPSLGEIDY
DSHILYPSECRQRKMTYTIPLFATIFKKFDDEMVDNFKVKLGDIPTMGRKKFCNLKGLTKKELAKRGEDMLEFGGYFIVN
GNEKVIRMLIVPKRNFPIAFKRSKFLERGKDFTDYGVQMRCVRDDFTAQTITLTYLSDGSVSLRLIYQKQEFLIPIILIL
KALKNCTDRQIYERIVKGNFNQRQISDRVEAILAVGKDLNIYDSDQSKALIGSRFRIVLAGITSETSDIDAGDLFLSKHI
CIHTDSYEAKFDTLILMIDKLYASVANEVELDNLDSVAMQDVLLGGHLYLQILSEKLFDCLHINLRARLNKELKRHNFDP
MKFRDVLTNQKINCGIGLIGKRMENFLATGNLISRTNLDLMQTSGFCIIGDKLNNIRFLSHFRSIHRGQYFAEQKTTSVR
KLLPESWGFICPVHTPDGAPCGLLNHISMSCVPIGSEEKQIDIDKFRNILGELGMNSISSDLCLNYHTGYYPVIFDGIHL
GYVEKDIGESFVEGLRYLKCTQSQPDYAIPRTLEIAFIPFSGYSRNLQWPGIFLASTPARFTRPVKNLHYNCIEWISPLE
QMNLSIACTDEDITPETTHQELDPINILSIVASVGVFAEYNQSPRNMYQCQMAKQTMGTPYHNHQFRTDNKIYRLLFPHR
PIVKTRTQVDFDIEEYPSGTNAVVAVISYTGYDLEDAMIINKSSYERGFGHGVVYKSYTHDLNESNSQSTRGIKSSVRYK
FLNNVSQKDKSKIKLENIDPDGLPKIGSQLTKGKPELCIFDTLKRGAKLSKFKDSEKARIETVRVCGNDDKNPDNLSIGY
TIRYSRIPVIGDKFSSRHGQKGVLSVLWPQVDMPFTENGITPDLIINPHAFPSRMTMGMLIQSMAAKSGSLRGEFKTVET
FQRYDDNDIVGHFGKELLDKGFNYHGNELMYSGIFGTPLKADIFIGVVYYQRLRHMVSDKSQARGTGPIDILTHQPVKGR
KKGGGIRFGEMERDSLLAHGAAYCLNDRLFRSSDYSEGFVCQNCGSILSCYVNRAIMKTQTFIPPSLDESNKDTEDKEIH
MNEKVICKVCKKNSNCKKVALPFVLRFLANELASMGIKLKFTVNDF
——————–
 

Pol II second largest subunits 

S. cerevisae
msdlansekyydedpygfedesapitaedswavisaffrekglvsqqldsfnqfvdytlqdiicedstlileqlaqhtte
sdnisrkyeisfgkiyvtkpmvnesdgvthalypqearlrnltyssglfvdvkkrtyeaidvpgrelkyeliaeesedds
esgkvfigrlpimlrskncylseatesdlyklkecpfdmggyfiingsekvliaqersagnivqvfkkaapspishvaei
rsalekgsrfistlqvklygregssartikatlpyikqdipiviifralgiipdgeilehicydvndwqmlemlkpcved
gfviqdretaldfigrrgtalgikkekriqyakdilqkeflphitqlegfesrkafflgyminrlllcaldrkdqddrdh
fgkkrldlagpllaqlfktlfkkltkdifrymqrtveeahdfnmklainaktitsglkyalatgnwgeqkkamssragvs
qvlnrytysstlshlrrtntpigrdgklakprqlhnthwglvcpaetpegqacglvknlslmscisvgtdpmpiitflse
wgmepledyvphqspdatrvfvngvwhgvhrnparlmetlrtlrrkgdinpevsmirdirekelkiftdagrvyrplfiv
eddeslghkelkvrkghiaklmateyqdieggfedveeytwssllneglveyidaeeeesiliamqpedlepaeaneend
ldvdpakrirvshhattfthceihpsmilgvaasiipfpdhnqsprntyqsamgkqamgvfltnynvrmdtmanilyypq
kplgttrameylkfrelpagqnaivaiacysgynqedsmimnqssidrglfrslffrsymdqekkygmsitetfekpqrt
ntlrmkhgtydkldddgliapgvrvsgedviigkttpispdeeelgqrtayhskrdastplrstengivdqvlvttnqdg
lkfvkvrvrttkipqigdkfasrhgqkgtigityrredmpftaegivpdliinphaipsrmtvahliecllskvaalsgn
egdaspftditvegiskllrehgyqsrgfevmynghtgkklmaqiffgptyyqrlrhmvddkiharargpmqvltrqpve
grsrdgglrfgemerdcmiahgaasflkerlmeasdafrvhicgicglmtviaklnhnqfeckgcdnkidiyqihipyaa
kllfqelmamnitprlytdrsrdf
 

C. elegans
myddedemvndpmdgdyiddsdeisaeawqeacwvvisayfdekglvrqqldsfdefvqmnvqrivedsppvelqsenqh
lgtdmenpakfslkfnqiylskpthwekdgapmpmmpnearlrnltyasplyvditkvvtrddsatekvydkvfvgkvpv
mlrssycmlsnmtdrdltelnecpldpggyfvingsekvliaqekmatntvyvfsmkdgkyafktecrsclenssrptst
mwvnmlargggggkktamgqriigilpyikqeipimivfralgfvsdrdilghiiydfndpemmemvkpsldeafviqeq
nvalnfigargakpgvtreqrikyareilqkellphvgvsehcetkkaffigymvhrlllaalgrrelddrdhignkrld
lagpllaflfrslfrnllkemrmtaqkyinknddfaldvcvktstitrgltyslatgnwgdqkkahqsragvsqvlnrlt
ytatlshlrranspigregklakprqlhntqwgmvcpaetpegqavglvknlalmayisvgslpepilefleewsmenle
evspsaiadatkifvngawvgihrepdqlmttlkklrrqmdiivsevsmvrdirdreiriytdagrvcrpllivenqkla
lkkrhidqlkeaadeankytwsdlvgggvvelidsmeeetsmiammpedlrsggycdththceihpamilgvcasiipfp
dhnqsprntyqsamgkqamgvyttnfhvrmdtlahvlyypqkplvttrsmeylrfnelpaginaivailsysgynqedsv
imnnsaidrglfrsvfyrsyrdneanldnaneeliekptrekcsgmrhslydkldedgiispgmrvsgddviigktvalp
didddldasgkkypkrdastflrssetgivdqvmlslnsdgnkfvkirmrsvrlpqigdkfasrhgqkgtmgimyrqedm
pftaegltpdiiinphavpsrmtighlieclqgklsankgeigdatpfndtvnvqkisgllceygyhlrgnevmynghtg
kklttqiffgptyyqrlkhmvddkihsrargpiqmmnrqpmegrardgglrfgemerdcqishgatqflrerlfevsdpy
hvyvcnncglivvanlrtnsfeckacrnktqvsavripyackllfqelmsmsiaprlmvkprqskrskhqsea
 

Drosophila
msvqrivedspaielqaerqhtsgevetpprfslkfeqiylskpthwekdgspspmmpnearlrnltysaplyvditktk
nvegldpvetqhqktfigkipimlrstycllsqltdrdltelnecpldpggyfiingsekvliaqekmatntvyvfsmkd
gkyafkteirsclehssrptstlwvnmmargsqnikksaigqriiailpyikqeipimivfralgfvadrdilehiiydf
ddpemmemvkpsldeafvvqeqnvalnfigargarpgvtkdkrikyakeilqkemlphvgvsdfcetkkayflgymvhrl
llaslgrrelddrdhygnkrldlagpllaflfrglfknlmkevrmytqkfidrgkdfnlelaiktniitdglryslatgn
wgdqkkahqaragvsqvlnrltfastlshlrrvnspigrdgklakprqlhntlwgmlcpaetpegaavglvknlalmayi
svgsqpspilefleewsmenleeiapsaiadatkifvngcwvgihrdpeqlmatlrklrrqmdiivsevsmirdirdrei
riytdagricrpllivengslllkkthvemlkerdyknyswqvlvasgvveymytleeetvmiamspydlkqdkdyayct
tythceihpamilgvcasiipfpdhnqsprntyqsamgkqamgvyitnfhvrmdtlahvlyypmkplvttrsmeylrfre
lpaginsivailcytgynqedsvilnasavergffrsvfyrsykdsenkrvgdqeenfekphrgtcqgmrnahydklddd
giiapgirvsgddvvigktitlpenddeldsntkrfskrdastflrnsetgivdqvmltlnsegykfckirvrsvripqi
gdkfasrhgqkgtcgiqyrqedmaftceglapdiiinphaipsrmtighlieclqgklgsnkgeigdatpfndavnvqki
stflqeygyhlrgnevmynghtgrkinaqvflgptyyqrlkhmvddkihsrargpvqilvrqpmegrardgglrfgemer
dcqishgaaqflrerlfevsdpyrvhicnfcgliaianlrnntfeckgcknktqisqvrlpyaakllfqelmsmniaprl
mvt
 

Human
mydadedmqydedddeitpdlwqeacwivissyfdekglvrqqldsfdefiqmsvqrivedappidlqaeaqhasgevee
ppryllkfeqiylskpthwerdgapspmmpnearlrnltysaplyvditktvikegeeqlqtqhqktfigkipimlrsty
cllngltdrdlcelnecpldpggyfiingsekvliaqekmatntvyvfakkdskyaytgecrsclenssrptstiwvsml
arggqgakksaigqrivatlpyikqevpiiivfralgfvsdrdilehiiydfedpemmemvkpsldeafviqeqnvalnf
igsrgakpgvtkekrikyakevlqkemlphvgvsdfcetkkayflgymvhrlllaalgrrelddrdhygnkrldlagpll
aflfrgmfknllkevriyaqkfidrgkdfnlelaiktriisdglkyslatgnwgdqkkahqaragvsqvlnrltfastls
hlrrlnspigrdgklakprqlhntlwgmvcpaetpeghavglvknlalmayisvgsqpspilefleewsmenleeispaa
iadatkifvngcwvgihkdpeqlmntlrklrrqmdiivsevsmirdirereiriytdagricrpllivekqklllkkrhi
dqlkereynnyswqdlvasgvveyidtleeetvmlamtpddlqekevaycstythceihpsmilgvcasiipfpdhnqsp
rntyqsamgkqamgvyitnfhvrmdtlahvlyypqkplvttrsmeylrfrelpaginsivaiasytgynqedsvimnrsa
vdrgffrsvfyrsykeqeskkgfdqeevfekptretcqgmrhaiydkldddgliapgvrvsgddviigktvtlpenedel
estnrrytkrdcstflrtsetgivdqvmvtlnqegykfckirvrsvripqigdkfasrhgqkgtcgiqyrqedmpftceg
itpdiiinphaipsrmtighlieclqgkvsankgeigdatpfndavnvqkisnllsdygyhlrgnevlyngftgrkitsq
ifigptyyqrlkhmvddkihsrargpiqilnrqpmegrsrdgglrfgemerdcqiahgaaqflrerlfeasdpyqvhvcn
lcgimaiantrthtyecrgcrnktqislvrmpyackllfqelmsmsiaprmmsv
Peperomia (Plant)
wgmmcpaetpegqacglvknlalmvyitvgsaanpilefleewstenfeeispavipqatkifvngcwvgihrnpdllvk
tlrqlrrqidvntevgvirdirlkelrlytdygrcsrplfivenqkllikkrdiqalqqretqeegwhflvskgfieyvd
teeeettmismtindlvqarrskdaysttythceihpslilgvcasiipfpdhnqsprntyqsamgkqamgiyvtnyqlr
mdtlayvlyypqkplvttramehlhfrqlpaginaivaiacysgynqedsvimnqssidrgffrslffrsyrdeekkmgt
lvkedfgrpnrentmgmrhgsydkldddglappgtrvsgedviigktspiaqdesqgqasrynrrdhstslrhsesgmvd
qvllttnadglrfvkvrmrsvripqigdkfssrhgqkgtvgmtytqedmpwtaegitpdiivnqhaipsrmtigqlieci
mgkvaahmgkegdatpftdvtvdniskalhkcgyqmrgfetmynghtgrrlsamiflgptyyqrlkhmvddkih
 

Arabidopsis
Columbia; BAC clone F17L22.
Essentially identical to Larkin and Guilfoyle sequence for pol II 2nd
 

largest subunit
MEYNEYEPEPQYVEDDDDEEITQEDAWAVISAYFEEKGLVRQQLDSFDEFIQNTMQEIVDESADIEIRPESQHNPGHQSD
FAETIYKISFGQIYLSKPMMTESDGETATLFPKAARLRNLTYSAPLYVDVTKRVIKKGHDGEEVTETQDFTKVFIGKVPI
MLRSSYCTLFQNSEKDLTELGECPYDQGGYFIINGSEKVLIAQEKMSTNHVYVFKKRQPNKYAYVGEVRSMAENQNRPPS
TMFVRMLARASAKGGSSGQYIRCTLPYIRTEIPIIIVFRALGFVADKDILEHICYDFADTQMMELLRPSLEEAFVIQNQL
VALDYIGKRGATVGVTKEKRIKYARDILQKEMLPHVGIGEHCETKKAYYFGYIIHRLLLCALGRRPEDDRDHYGNKRLDL
AGPLLGGLFRMLFRKLTRDVRSYVQKCVDNGKEVNLQFAIKAKTITSGLKYSLATGNWGQANAAGTRAGVSQVLNRLTYA
STLSHLRRLNSPIGREGKLAKPRQLHNSQWGMMCPAETPEGQACGLVKNLALMVYITVGSAAYPILEFLEEWGTENFEEI
SPSVIPQATKIFVNGMWVGVHRDPDMLVKTLRRLRRRVDVNTEVGVVRDIRLKELRIYTDYGRCSRPLFIVDNQKLLIKK
RDIYALQQRESAEEDGWHHLVAKGFIEYIDTEEEETTMISMTISDLVQARLRPEEAYTENYTHCEIHPSLILGVCASIIP
FPDHNQSPRNTYQSAMGKQAMGIYVTNYQFRMDTLAYVLYYPQKPLVTTRAMEHLHFRQLPAGINAIVAISCYSGYNQED
SVIMNQSSIDRGFFRSLFFRSYRDEEKKMGTLVKEDFGRPDRGSTMGMRHGSYDKLDDDGLAPPGTRVSGEDVIIGKTTP
ISQDEAQGQSSRYTRRDHSISLRHSETGMVDQVLLTTNADGLRFVKVRVRSVRIPQIGDKFSSRHGQKGTVGMTYTQEDM
PWTIEGVTPDIIVNPHAIPSRMTIGQLIECIMGKVAAHMGKEGDATPFTDVTVDNISKALHKCGYQMRGFERMYNGHTGR
PLTAMIFLGPTYYQRLKHMVDDKIHSRGRGPVQILTRQPAEGRSRDGGLRFGEMERDCMIAHGAAHFLKERLFDQSDAYR
VHVCEVCGLIAIANLKKNSFECRGCKNKTDIVQVYIPYACKLLFQELMSMAIAPRMLTKHLKSAKGRQ
—————–
 

RNA polymerase III 

Yeast (cerevisae)
mvaatkrrkthihkhvkdeafddllkpvykgkkltdeintaqdkwhllpaflkvkglvkqhldsfnyfvdtdlkkiikan
qlilsdvdpefylkyvdirvgkksssstkdyltpphecrlrdmtysapiyvdieytrgrniimhkdveigrmpimlrsnk
cilydadeskmaklnecpldpggyfivngtekvilvqeqlsknriiveadekkgivqasvtsstherksktyvitkngki
ylkhnsiaeeipiaivlkacgilsdleimqlvcgndssyqdifavnleesskldiytqqqaleyigakvktmrrqkltil
qegieaiattviahltvealdfrekalyiammtrrvvmamynpkmiddrdyvgnkrlelagqlisllfedlfkkfnndfk
lsidkvlkkpnrameydallsinvhsnnitsglnraistgnwslkrfkmeragvthvlsrlsyisalgmmtrissqfeks
rkvsgpralqpsqfgmlctadtpegeacglvknlalmthittddeeepikklcyvlgveditlidsaslhlnygvylngt
ligsirfptkfvtqfrhlrrtgkvsefisiysnshqmavhiatdggricrpliivsdgqsrvkdihlrklldgeldfddf
lklglveyldvneendsyialyekdivpsmthleiepftilgavaglipyphhnqsprntyqcamgkqaigaiaynqfkr
idtllylmtypqqpmvktktielidydklpagqnatvavmsysgydiedalvlnkssidrgfgrcetrrktttvlkryan
htqdiiggmrvdengdpiwqhqslgpdglgevgmkvqsgqiyinksvptnsadapnpnnvnvqtqyreapviyrgpepsh
idqvmmsvsdndqalikvllrqnrrpelgdkfssrhgqkgvcgiivkqedmpfndqgivpdiimnphgfpsrmtvgkmie
lisgkagvlngtleygtcfggskledmskilvdqgfnysgkdmlysgitgeclqayiffgpiyyqklkhmvldkmharar
gpravltrqptegrsrdgglrlgemerdcviaygasqlllerlmissdafevdvcdkcglmgysgwcttcksaeniikmt
ipyaakllfqellsmniaprlrledifqq
S. pombe
mgvntagdpqksqpkinkggigkdesfgalfkpvykgkkladpvptiedkwqllpaflkvkglvkqhldsynyfvdvdlk
kivqanekvtsdvepwfylkyldirvgapvrtdadaiqasisphecrlrdltyganiyvdieytrgkqvvrrrnvpigrm
pvmlrsnkcvlsgknememaalnecpldpggyfivkgtekvilvqeqlsknriiveaepkkglwqasvtsstherkskty
vitkngklylkhnsvaddipivvvlkamglqsdqeifelvagaeasyqdlfapsieecaklniytaqqaleyigarvkvn
rraganrlppheealevlaavvlahinvfnlefrpkavyigimarrvlmamvdplqvddrdyvgnkrlelagqllallfe
dlfkkfnsdlklnidkvlkkphrtqefdaynqltvhsdhitqgmvralstgnwslkrfkmeragvthvlsrlsyisalgm
mtritsqfektrkvsgprslqasqfgmlctsdtpegeacglvknlalmthittdeeeepiiklayafgiedihvisgrel
hshgtylvylngailgisrypslfvasfrklrrsgkispfigifinthqravfistdggricrpliivqnglpkveskhi
rllkegkwgfedflkqglveyvdvneendslisvyerditpdtthleiepftilgavaglipyphhnqsprntyqcamgk
qaigaiaynqlqridtllylmvypqqpmvktktieligydklpagqnatvaimsysgydiedalvlnkssidrgfgrcqv
fhkhsvivrkypngthdrigdpqrdpetgevvwkhgvveddglagvgcrvqpgqiyvnkqtptnaldnsitlghtqtves
gykatpmtykapepgyidkvmltttdsdqtlikvlmrqtrrpelgdkfssrhgqkgvcgvivqqedmpfndqgicpdiim
nphgfpsrmtvgkmiellsgkvgvlrgtleygtcfggtkvedasrilvehgynysgkdmltsgitgetleayifmgpiyy
qklkhmvmdkmharargpravltrqptegrsrdgglrlgemerdcliaygasqlllerlmissdacdvdvcgqcgllgyk
gwcnscqstrevvkmtipyaakllfqellsmnivprlaledefky
 

Drosophila
mvelkmgdhnveattwdpgdskdwsvpikpltekwklvpaflqvkglvkqhidsfnhfinvdikkivkanelvtsgadpl
fylkyldvrvgkpdiddgfnitkattphecrlrdttysapitvdieytrgtqrikrnnlligrmplmlrsncaltgksef
elsklnecpldpggyfvvrgqekviliqeqlswnkmltedfngvvqcqvtssthekksrtlvlskhgkyylkhnsmtddi
pivvifkalgvvsdqeiqsligidsksqnrfgaslidaynlkvftqqraleymgsklvvkrfqsattktpseearelllt
tilahvpvdnfnlqmkaiyvsmmvrrvmaaeldktlfddrdyygnkrlelagsllsmmfedlfkrmnwelktiadknipk
vkaaqfdvvkhmraaqitaglesaissgnwtikrfkmeragvtqvlsrlsyisalgmmtrvnsqfektrkvsgprslqps
qwgmlcpsytpegeacglvknlalmthitteveerpvmivafnagvedirevsgnpinnpnvflvfingnvlgltlnhkh
lvrnlrymrrkgrmgsyvsvhtsytqrciyihtdggrlcrpyvivenrrplvkqhhldelnrgirkfddflldglieyld
vneendsfiawnedqiedrtthleietftllgvcaglvpyphhnqsprntyqcamgkqamgmigynhnnridslmynlvy
phapmvksktieltnfdklpagqnatvavmsysgydiedalilnkasidrgygrclvyknskctvkryanqtfdrimgpm
kdaltnkvifkhdvldtdgivapgeqvqnkqiminkempavtsmnplqgqsaqvpytavpisykgpepsyiervmvsana
eedflikillrqtriprgdkfssrhgqkgvtgliveqedmpfndfgicpdmimnphgfpsrmtvgktlellggkaglleg
kfhygtafggskvediqaelerhgfnyvgkdffysgitgtpleayiysgpvyyqklkhmvqdkmharargpkavltrqpt
qgrsregglrlgemerdclisygasmlimerlmissdafevdvcrtcgrmaycswchfcqssanvskismpyackllfqe
ltsmnvvpkmileny
 

A. thaliana (chromosome 5)
DEFINITION DNA-directed RNA polymerase subunit [Arabidopsis thaliana].
 

ACCESSION BAB11387
mliiflhgfqitdsliaklramgldqedldltnddhfidkeklsapikstadkfqlvpeflkvrglvkqhldsfnyfinv
gihkivkansritstvdpsiylrfkkvrvgepsiinvntveninphmcrladmtyaapifvnieyvhgshgnkaksakdn
viigrmpimlrscrcvlhgkdeeelarlgecpldpggyfiikgtekvlliqeqlsknriiidsdkkgninasvtsstemt
ksktviqmekekiylflhrfvkkipiiivlkamgmesdqeivqmvgrdprfsasllpsieecvsegvntqkqaldyleak
vkkisygtppekdgralsilrdlflahvpvpdnnfrqkcfyvgvmlrrmieamlnkdamddkdyvgnkrlelsgqlisll
fedlfktmlseaiknvdhilnkpirasrfdfsqclnkdsrysislglertlstgnfdikrfrmhrkgmtqvltrlsfigs
mgfitkispqfeksrkvsgprslqpsqwgmlcpcdtpegescglvknlalmthvttdeeegplvamcyklgvtdlevlsa
eelhtpdsflvilnglilgkhsrpqyfanslrrlrragkigefvsvftnekqhcvyvasdvgrvcrplviadkgisrvkq
hhmkelqdgvrtfddfirdglieyldvneennalvclraeaakadtthieiepftilgvvaglipyphhnqsprntyqca
mgkqamgniaynqlnrmdtllyllvypqrpllttrtielvgydklgagqnatvavmsfsgydiedaivmnkssldrgfgr
civmkkivamsqkydnctadrilipqrtgpdaekmqildddglatpgeiirpndiyinkqvpvdtvtkftsalsdsqyrp
areyfkgpegetqvvdrvalcsdkkgqlcikyiirhtrrpelgdkfssrhgqkgvcgiiiqqedfpfselgicpdlimnp
hgfpsrmtvgkmiellgskagvscgrfhygsafgersghadkvetisatlvekgfsysgkdllysgisgepveayifmgp
iyyqklkhmvldkmhargsgprvmmtrqptegkskngglrvgemerdcliaygasmliyerlmissdpfevqvcracgll
gyynyklkkavcttckngdniatmklpyackllfqvktiglffklklstsshlendkiilisgykflpkisknh

——————— 

Archae second subunit (only one polymerase, though multi-subunit similar to
eukaryotes)
 

Sulfolobus
DEFINITION DNA-DIRECTED RNA POLYMERASE SUBUNIT B.
ACCESSION P11513
PID g133422
mldtesrwaiaesffktrglvrqhldsfndflrnklqqviyeqgeivtevpglkiklgkiryekpsiretdkgpmreitp
mearlrnltysspiflsmipvenniegepieiyigdlpimlksvadptsnlpidklieigedpkdpggyfivngsekmii
aqedlatnrvlvdygksgsnithvakvtssaagyrvqvmierlkdstiqisfatvpgripfaiimralgfvtdrdivyav
sldpqiqnellpsleqassitsaeealdfignrvaigqkrenriqkaeqvidkyflphlgtspedrkkkgyylasavnki
lelylgrrepddkdhyankrvrlagdlftslfrvafkafvkdlvyqlekskvrgrrlsltalvradiiterirhalatgn
wvggrtgvsqlldrtnwlsmlshlrrvvsslargqpnfeardlhgtqwgrmcpfetpegpnsglvknlallaqvsvgine
svvervayelgvvsvedvirriseqnedvekymswskvylngrllgyyedgkelakkiresrrqgklsdevnvayiatdy
lnevhincdagrvrrpliivnngtplvdtedikklkngeitfddlvkqgkiefidaeeeenayvalnpqdltpdhthlei
wpsailgiiasiipypehnqsprntyqsamakqslglyasnyqirtdtrahllhypqmplvqtrmlgvigyndrpagana
ilaimsytgynmedsiimnkssiergmyrstffrlysteevkypggqedkivtpeagvkgykgkdyyrlledngvvspev
evkggdvligkvspprflqefkelspeqakrdtsivtrhgengivdlvlitetlegnklvkvrvrdlripeigdkfatrh
gqkgvvgilidqvdmpytakgivpdiilnphalpsrmtigqimeaiggkyaalsgkpvdatpfletpklqemqkeilklg
hlpdstevvydgrtgqklksrilfgivyyqklhhmvadkmharargpvqiltrqptegraregglrfgemerdcligfgt
amlikdrlldnsykavvyicdqcgyvgwydrsknryvcpvhgdksvlhpvtvsyafklliqelmsmvisprlilgekvnl
ggasne

Well, this was helpful. Sequences and useful notes about them. So I played around with the sequences and searched for some other homologs and built a few alignments, build some masks to filter out poorly aligned regions, and then fed the data into PAUP and built a tree. (I note – I know about this because amazingly I still have all the files)

And I wrote back to Mike Bevan and Craig on Sept 8:

Mike and Craig 

Attached is a phylogenetic tree of RNA polymerase subunits (Craig suggested I look at these because of an unusual protein in the A. thaliana genome). A. thaliana has representatives in five different subfamilies – Pol-I, Pol-II, Pol-III and RpoB (for the chloroplast) as would be expected and then this novel Pol which I have called Pol-IV. 

I do not know much about RNA polymerase, but it seems like this is a pretty big deal and I think should be emphasized in the paper. What do you think? I could try to make a pretty tree figure to show the different families. 

Jonathan

I got an email back:

Dear Jonathan (and Mike), 

Many thanks for the detailed phylogenetic tree of the mystery pol subunit.
I think a figure is the only way to show clearly that this protein defines
a new clade. Is there room for such a figure, Mike? 

In the lab we have also been calling it a putative pol IV subunit just for
the shock value of saying the words (a radical idea in the transcription
field), though in the absence of knowing what other subunits associate with
it, I’m not sure what to call it in the annotation or figure. Maybe
“oddpol” or “atypical polymerase 2nd subunit”. It takes more than a dozen
subunits to make a eukaryotic polymerase, so it is not clear that one
unusual subunit is enough to confer new properties-i.e. a true pol IV.
Obviously, that will require quite a bit of work. 

Cheers,
Craig

Me to Craig on 9/11/00:

Yes 

I agree that it is too early to call it a true polIV, and I was doing it for the shock value too 

Jonathan 

PS. Do you mind if I present this at the TIGR GSAC meeting later this week 

Jonathan

Craig to me 9/11:

Hi Jonathan, 

Feel free to show the data. In thinking more about this, it is worth also
making a phylogenetic tree for the largest pol subunit (the equivalent of
eubacterial B’) just to see if there might be a fourth class out there for
the largest subunit, too. If there is, pol IV may not be such a wild idea. 

In case you are interested in giving this a try, I’m including some
sequences below. In the meantime, is there a good web site for performing
the types of extensive phylogenetic trees you’ve done for the mystery
subunit? I should do this for many of the general transcription factors
just to be sure they really group with the correct homologs, as you
suggested. 

Anyway, here are some largest subunit sequences for pol I, II and III.
Vive la difference! 

Craig

Pol I:
rat
mlaskhtpwrrlqgisfgmysaeelkklsvksitnpryvdslgnpsadglydlalgpadskevcstcvqdfnncsghlgh
idlpltvynpllfdklylllrgsclnchmltcpraaihllvcqlkvldvgalqavyelerilsrfleetsdpsafeiqee
leeytskilqnnllgsqgahvknvcesrsklvahfwkthmaakrcphcktgrsvvrkehnskltitypamvhkksgqkda
elpegapaapgideaqmgkrgyltpssaqehlfaiwknegfflnylfsglddigpessfnpsmffldfivvppsryrpin
rlgdqmftngqtvnlqavmkdavlirkllavmaqeqklpcemteitidkendssgaidrsflsllpgqsltdklyniwir
lqshvnivfdsdmdklmlekypgirqilekkeglfrkhmmgkrvdyaarsvicpdmyintneigipmvfatkltypqpvt
pwnvqelrqavingpnvhpgasmvinedgsrtalsavdatqreavakqlltpstgipkpqgakvvcrhvkngdilllnrq
ptlhrpsiqahrahilpeekvlrlhyanckaynadfdgdemnahfpqselgraeayvlactdqqylvpkdgqplagliqd
hmvsganmtirgcfftreqymelvyrgltdkvgrvklfppailkpfplwtgkqvvstlliniipedytplnltgkakigs
kawvkekprpvpdfdpdsmcesqviiregellcgvldkahygssayglvhccyeiyggetsgrvltclarlftaylqlyr
gftlgvedilvkpnadvmrqriieestqcgpravraalnlpeaascdeiqgkwqdaiwrkdqrdfnmidmkfkeevnhys
neinkacmpfglhrqfpennlqmmvqsgakgstvntmqiscllgqielegrrpplmasgkslpcfepyeftpraggfvtg
rfltgirppefffhcmagreglvdtavktsrsgylqrciikhleglviqydltvrdsdgsvvqflygedgldipktqflq
pkqfpflasnyevimkskhlhevlsradpqkvlrhfraikkwhhrhssallrkgaflsfsqkiqaavkalnlegktqngr
spetqqmlqmwheldeqsrrkyqkraapcpdpslsvwrpdihfasvsetfekkiddysqewaaqaekshnrselsldrlr
tllqlkwqrslcdpgeavgllaaqsigepstqmtlntfhfagrgemnvtlgiprlreilmvasaniktpmmsvpvfntkk
alrrvkslkkqltrvclgevlqkvdiqesfcmgekqnkfrvyelrfqflphayyqqekclrpedilhfmetrffkllmea
ikkknskasafrsvntrratqkdlddtedsgrnrreeerdeeeegnivdaeaeegdadasdtkrkekqeeevdyeseeeg
eeeeeedvqeeenikgegahqthepdeeegsgleeessqnppcrhsrpqgaeamerriqavreshsfiedyqydteeslw
cqvtvklplmkinfdmsslvvslahnaivyttkgitrcllnetinsknekefvlnteginlpelfkysevldlrrlysnd
ihavantygieaalrviekeikdvfavygiavdprhlslvadymcfegvykplnrfgiqssssplqqmtfetsfqflkqa
tmmgshdelkspsaclvvgkvvkggtglfelkqplr
 

Drosophila
mgskramdvhmfpsdlefavftdqeirklsvvkvitgitfdalghaipgglydirmgsygrcmdpcgtclklqdcpghmg
hielgtpvynpffikfvqrllcifclhcyklqmkdheceiimlqlrlidagyiieaqelelfkseivcqntenlvaikng
dmvhphiaamykllekneknssnstktscslrtaithsalqrlgkkcrhcnksmrfvrymhrrlvfyvtladikervgtg
aetggqnkvifadecrrylrqiyanypellkllvpvlglsntdltqgdrspvdlffmdtlpvtpprarplnmvgdmlkgn
pqtdiyiniiennhvlnvvlkymkggqeklteeakaayqtlkgetaheklytawlalqmsvdvlldvnmsremksgeglk
qiiekkcglirshmmgkrvnyaartvitpaypninvdeigipdifakklsypvpvtewnvtdvrkmvmngpdvhpganyi
qdkngfttyipadnaskreslaklllsnpkdgikivhrhvlngdvlllnrqpslhkpsimghkarilhgektfrlhysnc
kaynadfdgdemnahypqsevaraeaynlvnvasnylvpkdgtplggliqdhvisgvklsirgrffnredyqqlvfqgls
qlkkdikllpptilkpavlwsgkqilstiiiniipegyerinldsfakiagknwnvsrprppicgtnpegndlsesqvqi
rngellvgvldkqqygattyglihcmyelyggdvstllvtaftkvftfflqlegftlgvkdilvtdvadrkrrkiirecr
nvgnsavaaaleledepphdelvekmeaayvkdskfrvlldrkykslldgytndinstclprglitkfpsnnlqlmvlsg
akgsmvntmqiscllgqielegkrpplmisgkslpsftsfetspksggfidgrfmtgiqpqdfffhcmagreglidtavk
tsrsgylqrclikhleglsvhydltvrdsdnsvvqflygedgldilkskffndkfcadfltqnatailrpaqlqlmkdee
qlvkvqrhekhirswekkkpaklraafthfseelreevevkrpnevnsktgrrrfdegllklwkkadaedkalyrkkyar
cpdptvavykqdlyygsvsertrklitdyakrkpalketiadimrvktikslaapgepvgliaaqsigepstqmtlntfh
fagrgemnvtlgiprlreilmlassniktpsmdipikpgqqhqaeklrinlnsvtlanlleyvhvstgltldpersyeyd
mrfqflprevykedygvrpkhiikymhqtffkqlipppilkvsnasrttkivviddkkdadkdddndldngdevgrskak
andddssddnddddatgvklkqrktdekdyddpddveelhdanddddeaededdeekgqdgndndgddkaverllsndmv
kaytydkenhlwcqvklnlsvryqkpdltsiirelagksvvhqvqhikraiiykgndddqllktdginigemfqhnkild
lnrlysndihaiartygieaasqvivkevsnvfkvygitvdrrhlsliadymtfdgtfqplsrkgmehsssplqqmsfes
slqflksaagfgradelsspssrlmvglpvrngtgafelltkic
 

yeast (S.c.)
mdiskpvgseitsvdfgiltakeirnlsakqitnptvldnlghpvsgglydlalgaflrnlcstcgldekfcpghqghie
lpvpcynplffnqlyiylrasclfchhfrlksvevhryacklrllqyglidesykldeitlgslnssmytddeaiedted
emdgegskqskdisstllnelkskrseyvdmaiakalsdgrttergsftatvnderkklvhefhkkllsrgkcdncgmfs
pkfrkdgftkifetalnekqitnnrvkgfirqdmikkqkqakkldgsneasandeesfdvgrnpttrpktgstyilstev
knildtvfrkeqcvlqyvfhsrpnlsrklvkadsffmdvlvvpptrfrlpsklgeevhensqnqllskvlttsllirdln
ddlsklqkdkvsledrrvifsrlmnafvtiqndvnafidstkaqgrtsgkvpipgvkqalekkeglfrkhmmgkrvnyaa
rsvispdpnietneigvppvfavkltypepvtayniaelrqavingpdkwpgatqiqnedgslvsligmsveqrkalanq
lltpssnvsthtlnkkvyrhiknrdvvlmnrqptlhkasmmghkvrvlpnektlrlhyantgaynadfdgdemnmhfpqn
enaraealnlantdsqyltptsgspvrgliqdhisagvwltskdsfftreqyqqyiygcirpedghttrskivtlpptif
kpyplwtgkqiittvllnvtppdmpginlisknkikneywgkgslenevlfkdgallcgildksqygaskygivhslhev
ygpevaakvlsvlgrlftnyitataftcgmddlrltaegnkwrtdilktsvdtgreaaaevtnldkdtpaddpellkrlq
eilrdnnksgildavtsskvnaitsqvvskcvpdgtmkkfpcnsmqamalsgakgsnvnvsqimcllgqqalegrrvpvm
vsgktlpsfkpyetdamaggyvkgrfysgikpqeyyfhcmagreglidtavktsrsgylqrcltkqlegvhvsydnsird
adgtlvqfmyggdaiditkeshmtqfefcldnyyallkkynpsaliehldvesalkyskktlkyrkkhskephykqsvky
dpvlakynpakylgsvsenfqdklesfldknsklfkssdgvnekkfralmqlkymrslinpgeavgiiasqsvgepstqm
tlntfhfaghgaanvtlgiprlreivmtasaaiktpqmtlpiwndvsdeqadtfcksiskvllsevidkvivtettgtsn
taggnaarsyvihmrffdnneyseeydvskeelqnvisnqfihlleaaivkeikkqkrttgpdigvavprlqtdvansss
nskrleedndeeqshkktkqavsydepdedeietmreaekssdeegidsdkesdsdsededvdmneqinksiveannnmn
kvqrdrqsaiishhrfitkynfddesgkwcefklelaadtekllmvniveeicrksiirqiphidrcvhpepengkrvlv
tegvnfqamwdqeafidvdgitsndvaavlktygveaarntivneinnvfsryaisvsfrhldliadmmtrqgtylafnr
qgmetstssfmkmsyettcqfltkavldnereqldspsarivvgklnnvgtgsfdvlakvpnaa
 

Arabidopsis
MAHAQTTEVCLSFHRSLLFPMGASQVVESVRFSFMTEQDVRKHSFLKVTSPILHDNVGNPFPGGLYDLKLGPKDDKQACN
SCGQLKLACPGHCGHIELVFPIYHPLLFNLLFNFLQRACFFCHHFMAKPEDVERAVSQLKLIIKGDIVSAKQLESNTPTK
SKSSDESCESVVTTDSSEECEDSDVEDQRWTSLQFAEVTAVLKNFMRLSSKSCSRCKGINPKLEKPMFGWVRMRAMKDSD
VGANVIRGLKLKKSTSSVENPDGFDDSGIDALSEVEDGDKETREKSTEVAAEFEEHNSKRDLLPSEVRNILKHLWQNEHE
FCSFIGDLWQSGSEKIDYSMFFLESVLVPPTKFRPPTTGGDSVMEHPQTVGLNKVIESNNILGNACTNKLDQSKVIFRWR
NLQESVNVLFDSKTATVQSQRDSSGICQLLEKKEGLFRQKMMGKRVNHACRSVISPDPYIAVNDIGIPPCFALKLTYPER
VTPWNVEKLREAIINGPDIHPGATHYSDKSSTMKLPSTEKARRAIARKLLSSRGATTELGKTCDINFEGKTVHRHMRDGD
IVLVNRQPTLHKPSLMAHKVRVLKGEKTLRLHYANCSTYNADFDGDEMNVHFPQDEISRAEAYNIVNANNQYARPSNGEP
LRALIQDHIVSSVLLTKRDTFLDKDHFNQLLFSSGVTDMVLSTFSGRSGKKVMVSASDAELLTVTPAILKPVPLWTGKQV
ITAVLNQITKGHPPFTVEKATKLPVDFFKCRSREVKPNSGDLTKKKEIDESWKQNLNEDKLHIRKNEFVCGVIDKAQFAD
YGLVHTVHELYGSNAAGNLLSVFSRLFTVFLQTHGFTCGVDDLIILKDMDEERTKQLQECENVGERVLRKTFGIDVDVQI
DPQDMRSRIERILYEDGESALASLDRSIVNYLNQCSSKGVMNDLLSDGLLKTPGRNCISLMTISGAKGSKVNFQQISSHL
GQQDLEGKRVPRMVSGKTLPCFHPWDWSPRAGGFISDRFLSGLRPQEYYFHCMAGREGLVDTAVKTSRSGYLQRCLMKNL
ESLKVNYDCTVRDADGSIIQFQYGEDGVDVHRSSFIEKFKELTINQDMVLQKCSEDMLSGASSYISDLPISLKKGAEKFV
EAMPMNERIASKFVRQEELLKLVKSKFFASLAQPGEPVGVLAAQSVGEPSTQMTLNTFHLAGRGEMNVTLGIPRLQEILM
TAAANIKTPIMTCPLLKGKTKEDANDITDRLRKITVADIIKSMELSVVPYTVYENEVCSIHKLKINLYKPEHYPKHTDIT
EEDWEETMRAVFLRKLEDAIETHMKMLHRIRGIHNDVTGPIAGNETDNDDSVSGKQNEDDGDDDGEGTEVDDLGSDAQKQ
KKQETDEMDYEENSEDETNEPSSISGVEDPEMDSENEDTEVSKEDTPEPQEESMEPQKEVKGVKNVKEQSKKKRRKFVRA
KSDRHIFVKGEGEKFEVHFKFATDDPHILLAQIAQQTAQKVYIQNSGKIERCTVANCGDPQVIYHGDNPKERREISNDEK
KASPALHASGVDFPALWEFQDKLDVRYLYSNSIHDMLNIFGVEAARETIIREINHVFKSYGISVSIRHLNLIADYMTFSG
GYRPMSRMGGIAESTSPFCRMTFETATKFIVQAATYGEKDTLETPSARICLGLPALSGTGCFDLMQRVEL
 

Pol II:
Arabidopsis
mdtrfpfspaevskvrvvqfgilspdeirqmsvihvehsettekgkpkvgglsdtrlgtidrkvkcetcmanmaecpghf
gylelakpmyhvgfmktvlsimrcvcfncskiladeamkiknpknrlkkildacknktkcdggddiddvqshstdepvkk
srggcgaqqpkltiegmkmiaeyknskeendepdqlpepaerkqtlgadrvlsvlkrisdadcqllgfnpkfarpdwmil
evlpippppvrpsvmmdatsrseddlthqlamiirhnenlkrqekngaprhiisrftqllqfhiatyfdnelpgqpratq
ksgrpiksicsrlkakegrirgnlmgkrvdfsartvitpdptinidelgvpwsialnltypetvtpynierlkelvdygp
hpppgktgakyiirddgqrldlrylkkssdqhlelgyryvllsysihsthkrlflevvifmlswsqverhlqdgdfvlfn
rqpslhkmsimghririmpystfrlnlsvtspynadfdgdemnmhvpqsfetraevlelmmvpkcivspqanrpvmgivq
dtllgcrkitkrdtfiekdvfmntlmwwedfdgkvpapailkprplwtgkqvfnliipkqinllrysawhadtetgfitp
gdtqvriergellagtlckktlgtsngslvhviweevgpdaarkflghtqwlvnywllqngftigigdtiadsstmekin
etisnaktavkdlirqfqgkeldpepgrtmrdtfenrvnqvlnkarddagssaqkslaetnnlkamvtagskgsfinisq
mtacvgqqnvegkripfgfdgrtlphftkddygpesrgfvensylrgltpqefffhamggreglidtavktsetgyiqrr
lvkamedimvkydgtvrnslgdviqflygedgmdavwiesqkldslkmkksefdrtfkyeiddenwnptylsdehledlk
girelrdvfdaeyskletdrfqlgteiatngdstwplpvnikrhiwnaqktfkidlrkisdmhpveivdavdklqerllv
vpgddalsveaqknatlffnillrstlaskrvleeyklsreafewvigeiesrflqslvapgemigcvpaqsigepatqm
tlntfhyagvsaknvtlgvprlreiinvakriktpslsvyltpeaskskegaktvqcaleyttlrsvtqatevwydpdpm
stiieedfefvrsyyempdedvspdkispwllrielnremmvdkklsmadiaekinlefdddltcifnddnaqklilrir
imndegpkgelqdesaeddvflkkiesnmltemalrgipdinkvfikqvrksrfdeeggfktseewmldtegvnllavmc
hedvdpkrttsnhlieiievlgieavrralldelrvvisfdgsyvnyrhlailcdtmtyrghlmaitrhginrndtgplm
rcsfeetvdilldaaayaetdclrgvtenimlgqlapigtgdcelylndemlknaielqlpsymdglefgmtparspvsg
tpyhegmmspnyllspnmrlspmsdaqfspyvggmafspssspgyspsspgysptspgysptspgysptspgysptspty
spsspgysptspaysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspaysptspaysptspayspt
spsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspaysptspgysptspsysptspsygptspsynpqsakyspsiay
spsnarlspaspysptspnysptspsysptspsyspssptyspsspyssgaspdyspsagysptlpgyspsstgqytphe
gdkkdktgkkdaskddkgnp
 

Drosophila
mstptdskaplrqvkrvqfgilspdeirrmsvteggvqfaetmeggrpklgglmdprqgvidrtsrcqtcagnmtecpgh
fghidlakpvfhigfitktikilrcvcfycskmlvsphnpkikeivmksrgqprkrlayvydlckgkticeggedmdltk
enqqpdpnkkpghggcghyqpsirrtgldltaewkhqnedsqekkivvsaervweilkhitdeecfilgmdpkyarpdwm
ivtvlpvpplavrpavvmfgaaknqddlthklsdiikannelrkneasgaaahviqenikmlqfhvatlvdndmpgmpra
mqksgkplkaikarlkgkegrirgnlmgkrvdfsartvitpdpnlridqvgvprsiaqnltfpelvtpfnidrmqelvrr
gnsqypgakyivrdngeridlrfhpkssdlhlqcgykverhlrdddlvifnrqptlhkmsmmghrvkvlpwstfrmnlsc
tspynadfdgdemnlhvpqsmetraevenihitprqiitpqankpvmgivqdtltavrkmtkrdvfitreqvmnllmflp
twdakmpqpcilkprplwtgkqifsliipgnvnmirthsthpdeedegpykwispgdtkvmvehgelimgilckkslgts
agsllhicflelghdiagrfygniqtvinnwllfeghsigigdtiadpqtyneiqqaikkakddvinviqkahnmelept
pgntlrqtfenkvnrilndahdktggsakkslteynnlkamvvsgskgsninisqviacvgqqnvegkripygfrkrtlp
hfikddygpesrgfvensylagltpsefyfhamggreglidtavktaetgyiqrrlikamesvmvnydgtvrnsvgqliq
lrygedglcgelvefqnmptvklsnksfekrfkfdwsnerlmkkvftddvikemtdsseaiqeleaewdrlvsdrdslrq
ifpngeskvvlpcnlqrmiwnvqkifhinkrlptdlspirvikgvktllercvivtgndriskqanenatllfqclirst
lctkyvseefrlsteafewlvgeietrfqqaqanpgemvgalaaqslgepatqmtlntfhfagvssknvtlgvprlkeii
niskkpkapsltvfltggaardaekaknvlcrlehttlrkvtantaiyydpdpqrtvisedqefvnvyyempdfdptris
pwllrieldrkrmtdkkltmeqiaekinvgfgedlncifnddnadklvlririmnneenkfqdedeavdkmeddmflrci
eanmlsdmtlqgieaigkvymhlpqtdskkrivitetgefkaigewlletdgtsmmkvlserdvdpirtssndiceifqv
lgieavrksvekemnavlqfyglyvnyrhlallcdvmtakghlmaitrhginrqdtgalmrcsfeetvdvlmdaaahaet
dpmrgvseniimgqlpkmgtgcfdllldaekcrfgieipntlgnsmlggaamfigggstpsmtppeldsawancntpryf
sppghvsamtpggpsfspsaasdasgmspswspahpgsspsspgpsmspyfpaspsvspsysptspnytasspggaspny
spsspnysptsplyaspryasttpnfnpqstgyspsssgysptspvysptvqfqsspsfagsgsniyspgnayspsssny
spnspsysptspsyspsspsysptspcysptspsysptspnytpvtpsysptspnysaspqyspaspaysqtgvkyspts
ptysppspsydgspgspqytpgspqyspaspkysptsplyspsspqhspsnqysptgstysatspryspnmsiyspsstk
ysptsptytptarnysptspmysptapshysptspayspssptfeesedvrkggrg
 

human
mhgggppsgdsacplrtikrvqfgvlspdelkrmsvteggikypetteggrpklgglmdprqgviertgrcqtcagnmte
cpghfghielakpvfhvgflvktmkvlrcvcffcskllvdsnnpkikdilakskgqpkkrlthvydlckgkniceggeem
dnkfgveqpegdedltkekghggcgryqprirrsglelyaewkhvnedsqekkillspervheifkrisdeecfvlgmep
ryarpewmivtvlpvpplsvrpavvmqgsarnqddlthkladivkinnqlrrneqngaaahviaedvkllqfhvatmvdn
elpglpramqksgrplkslkqrlkgkegrvrgnlmgkrvdfsartvitpdpnlsidqvgvprsiaanmtfaeivtpfnid
rlqelvrrgnsqypgakyiirdngdridlrfhpkpsdlhlqtgykverhmcdgdivifnrqptlhkmsmmghrvrilpws
tfrlnlsvttpynadfdgdemnlhlpqsletraeiqelamvprmivtpqsnrpvmgivqdtltavrkftkrdvflergev
mnllmflstwdgkvpqpailkprplwtgkqifsliipghincirthsthpddedsgpykhispgdtkvvvengelimgil
ckkslgtsagslvhisylemghditrlfysniqtvinnwllieghtigigdsiadsktyqdiqntikkakqdvievieka
hnneleptpgntlrqtfenqvnrilndardktgssaqkslseynnfksmvvsgakgskinisqviavvgqqnvegkripf
gfkhrtlphfikddygpesrgfvensylagltptefffhamggreglidtavktaetgyiqrrliksmesvmvkydatvr
nsinqvvqlrygedglagesvefqnlatlkpsnkafekkfrfdytneralrrtlqedlvkdvlsnahiqnelerefermr
edrevlrvifptgdskvvlpcnllrmiwnaqkifhinprlpsdlhpikvvegvkelskklvivngddplsrqaqenatll
fnihlrstlcsrrmaeefrlsgeafdwllgeieskfnqaiahpgemvgalaaqslgepatqmtlntfhyagvsaknvtlg
vprlkeliniskkpktpsltvfllgqsardaerakdilcrlehttlrkvtantaiyydpnpqstvvaedqewvnvyyemp
dfdvarispwllrveldrkhmtdrkltmeqiaekinagfgddlncifnddnaeklvlririmnsdenkmqeeeevvdkmd
ddvflrciesnmltdmtlqgieqiskvymhlpqtdnkkkiiitedgefkalqewiletdgvslmrvlsekdvdpvrttsn
diveiftvlgieavrkalerelyhvisfdgsyvnyrhlallcdtmtcrghlmaitrhgvnrqdtgplmkcsfeetvdvlm
eaaahgesdpmkgvsenimlgqlapagtgcfdllldaekckygmeiptnipglgaagptgmffgsapspmggispamtpw
nqgatpaygawspsvgsgmtpgaagfspsaasdasgfspgyspawsptpgspgspgpsspyipspggamspsysptspay
eprspggytpqspsysptspsysptspsysptspnysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysp
tspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspnysptspnytptsp
sysptspsysptspnytptspnysptspsysptspsysptspsyspssprytpqsptytpsspsyspsspsysptspkyt
ptspsyspsspeytpaspkysptspkysptspkysptsptyspttpkysptsptysptspvytptspkysptsptyspts
pkysptsptysptspkgstysptspgysptsptysltspaispddsdeen
 

yeast (S.c)
mvgqqyssaplrtvkevqfglfspeevraisvakirfpetmdetqtrakigglndprlgsidrnlkcqtcqegmnecpgh
fghidlakpvfhvgfiakikkvcecvcmhcgkllldehnelmrqalaikdskkrfaaiwtlcktkmvcetdvpseddptq
lvsrggcgntqptirkdglklvgswkkdratgdadepelrvlsteeilnifkhisvkdftslgfnevfsrpewmiltclp
vppppvrpsisfnesqrgeddltfkladilkanisletlehngaphhaieeaesllqfhvatymdndiagqpqalqksgr
pvksirarlkgkegrirgnlmgkrvdfsartvisgdpnleldqvgvpksiaktltypevvtpynidrltqlvrngpnehp
gakyvirdsgdridlryskragdiqlqygwkverhimdndpvlfnrqpslhkmsmmahrvkvipystfrlnlsvtspyna
dfdgdemnlhvpqseetraelsqlcavplqivspqsnkpcmgivqdtlcgirkltlrdtfieldqvlnmlywvpdwdgvi
ptpaiikpkplwsgkqilsvaipngihlqrfdegttllspkdngmliidgqiifgvvekktvgssngglihvvtrekgpq
vcaklfgniqkvvnfwllhngfstgigdtiadgptmreitetiaeakkkvldvtkeaqanlltakhgmtlresfednvvr
flneardkagrlaevnlkdlnnvkqmvmagskgsfiniaqmsacvgqqsvegkriafgfvdrtlphfskddyspeskgfv
ensylrgltpqefffhamggreglidtavktaetgyiqrrlvkaledimvhydnttrnslgnviqfiygedgmdaahiek
qsldtiggsdaafekryrvdllntdhtldpsllesgseilgdlklqvlldeeykqlvkdrkflrevfvdgeanwplpvni
rriiqnaqqtfhidhtkpsdltikdivlgvkdlqenllvlrgkneiiqnaqrdavtlfccllrsrlatrrvlqeyrltkq
afdwvlsnieaqflrsvvhpgemvgvlaaqsigepatqmtlntfhfagvaskkvtsgvprlkeilnvaknmktpsltvyl
epghaadqeqaklirsaiehttlksvtiaseiyydpdprstvipedeeiiqlhfslldeeaeqsfdqqspwllrleldra
amndkdltmgqvgerikqtfkndlfviwsedndekliircrvvrpksldaeteaeedhmlkkientmlenitlrgvenie
rvvmmkydrkvpsptgeyvkepewvletdgvnlsevmtvpgidptriytnsfidimevlgieagraalykevynviasdg
syvnyrhmallvdvmttqggltsvtrhgfnrsntgalmrcsfeetveilfeagasaelddcrgvsenvilgqmapigtga
fdvmideeslvkympeqkiteiedgqdggvtpysnesglvnadldvkdelmfsplvdsgsndamaggftayggadygeat
spfgaygeaptspgfgvsspgfsptsptysptspaysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysp
tspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspsysptspaysptspsysptspsysptsp
sysptspsysptspnysptspsysptspgyspgspayspkqdeqkhnenensr

pol III:
human
mvkeqfretdvakktshicfgmkspeemrqqahiqvvsknlysqdnqhapllygvldhrmgtsekdrpcetcgknladcl
ghygyidlelpcfhvgyfravigilqmicktcchimlsqeekkqfldylkrpgltylqkrglkkkisdkcrkknichhcg
afngtvkkcgllkiihekyktnkkvvdpivsnflqsfetaiehnkevepllgraqenlnplvvlnlfkripaedvplllm
npeagkpsdliltrllvpplcfrpsvvsdlksgtneddltmklteiiflndvikkhrisgaktqmimedwdflqlqcaly
inselsgiplnmapkkwtrgfvqrlkgkqgrfrgnlsgkrvdfsgrtvispdpnlridevavpvhvakiltfpekvnkan
inflrklvqngpevhpganfiqqrhtqmkrflkygnrekmaqelkygdiverhlidgdvvlfnrqpslhklsimahlarv
kphrtfrfnecvctpynadfdgdemnlhlpqteeakaealvlmgtkanlvtprngepliaaiqdfltgaylltlkdtffd
rakacqiiasilvgkdekikvrlppptilkpvtlwtgkqifsvilrpsddnpvranlrtkgkqycgkgedlcandsyvti
qnselmsgsmdkgtlgsgsknnifyillrdwgqneaadamsrlarlapvylsnrgfsigigdvtpgqgllkakyellnag
ykkcdeyiealntgklqqqpgctaeetlealilkelsvirdhagsaclreldksnspltmalcgskgsfinisqmiacvg
qqaisgsrvpdgfenrslphfekhsklpaakgfvansfysgltptefffhtmagreglvdtavktaetgymqrrlvksle
dlcsqydltvrsstgdiiqfiyggdgldpaamegkdeplefkrvldnikavfpcpsepalsknelilttesimkkseflc
cqdsflqeikkfikgvsekikktrdkygindngtteprvlyqldritptqvekfletcrdkymraqmepgsavgalcaqs
igepgtqmtlktfhfggvasmnitlgvprikeiinaskaistpiitaqldkdddadyarlvkgriektllgeiseyieev
flpddcfilvklslerirllrlevnaetvrysictsklrvkpgdvavhgeavvcvtprenskssmyyvlqflkedlpkvv
vqgipevsravihideqsgkekykllvegdnlravmathgvkgtrttsnntyevektlgieaarttiineiqytmvvnhg
msidrrhvmllsdlmtykgevlgitrfglakmkesvlmlasfektadhlfdaayfgqkdsvcgvseciimgipmnigtgl
fkllhkadrdpnppkrplifdtnefhiplvt

trypanosome
mlkgssstsfllpqqfveplphapveisalhygllsrndvhrlsvlpcrrvvgdvkeygvndarlgvcdrlsicetcgln
siecvghpghidleapvfhlgffttvlricrtickrcshvllddteidyykrrlssssleplqrtmliktiqtdayktrv
clkcgglngvvrrvrpmrlvhekyhveprrgegprenpggffdaelrtacaynkvvgecrefvhdfldpvrvrqlflavp
pgevillglapgvsptdllmttllvppvpvrprgcagtttvrdddltaqyndilvstdtmqdgsldatrytetwemlqmr
aarlldsslpgfppnvrtsdlksyaqrlkskhgrfrcnlsgkrvdysgrsvispdpnldvdelavplhvarvltypqrvf
kanhelmrrlvrngphvhpgattvylaqegskkslknerdrhrlaarlavgdiverhvmngdlvlfnrqpslhrvsmmah
rarvlpfrtfrfnecccapynadfdgdemnvhfvqtekaraealqlmstarniisakngepiiactqdflaaaylvtsrd
vffdrgefsqmvshwlgpvtqfrlpipailkpvelwtgkqlfelivrpspevdvllsfeaptkfytrkgkhdcaeegyva
fldscfisgrldkkllgggakdglfarlhtiagggytarvmsriaqftsryltnygfslglgdvaptpelnkqkaavlar
svevcdgliksaktgrmiplpgltvkqslearlntelskvrdecgtaavqtlsihnntplimvqsgskgsalniaqmmac
vgqqtvsgkrildafqdrslphfhrfeeapaargfvansfysglsptefffhtmagreglvdtavktaetgyiyrrlmka
menlsvrydgtvrntkgdviqlrfgedgldpqlmegnsgtplnleqewlsvraayarwvvgllagsktasdgnairdnen
yfnefismlptegpsfveaclngdqealkvceeqesredalhnsngktndresrprtgrlrravlishlvkvcsrkfkdd
iqdffvkkvreqqrirnllnlpntsrertegggdnsgpiankrtkkrapslkvkdskeggrvselrdlemlqtellpltr
gmvtrfiaqcaskylrkacepgtpcgaiaaqsvgepstqmtlrtfhfagvasmsitqgvprlvevinanrniatpvvtap
vllmegeenhceifrkrarfvkaqiervllrevvseivevcsdtefylrvhlnmsvitklhlpinaitvrqrilaaaght
msplrmlnedcievfsldtlavyphfqdarwvhfslrrilgllpdvvvggigginramissngtevlaegaelravmnlw
gvdstrvvcnhvavvervlgieaarrvivdeiqnilkayslsidvrhvylladlmtqrgvvlgitrygiqkmnfnvltma
sferttdhlynaaatqrvdrdlsvsdsiivgkpvplgttsfdllldgsisndilppqrcvkrgmgpnfhtakrhhlvpla
aegvfrldlf 

yeast (S.c)
mkevvvsetpkrikglefsalsaadivaqsevevstrdlfdlekdrapkangaldpkmgvsssslecatchgnlaschgh
fghlklalpvfhigyfkatiqilqgickncsaillsetdkrqflhelrrpgvdnlrrmgilkkildqckkqrrclhcgal
ngvvkkaaagagsaalkiihdtfrwvgkksapekdiwvgewkevlahnpeleryvkrcmddlnplktlnlfkqiksadce
llgidatvpsgrpetyiwrylpappvcirpsvmmqdspasneddltvklteivwtsslikagldkgisinnmmehwdylq
ltvamyinsdsvnpamlpgssngggkvkpirgfcqrlkgkqgrfrgnlsgkrvdfsgrtvispdpnlsidevavpdrvak
vltypekvtrynrhklqelivngpnvhpganyllkrnedarrnlrygdrmklaknlqigdvverhledgdvvlfnrqpsl
hrlsilshyakirpwrtfrlnecvctpynadfdgdemnlhvpqteearaeainlmgvknnlltpksgepiiaatqdfitg
sylishkdsfydratltqllsmmsdgiehfdipppaimkpyylwtgkqvfsllikpnhnspvvinldaknkvfvppksks
lpnemsqndgfviirgsqilsgvmdksvlgdgkkhsvfytilrdygpqeaanamnrmaklcarflgnrgfsigindvtpa
ddlkqkkeelveiayhkcdelitlfnkgeletqpgcneeqtleakiggllskvreevgdvcineldnwnaplimatcgsk
gstlnvsqmvavvgqqiisgnrvpdgfqdrslphfpknsktpqskgfvrnsffsglsppeflfhaisgreglvdtavkta
etgymsrrlmksledlscqydntvrtsangivqftyggdgldplemegnaqpvnfnrswdhaynitfnnqdkgllpyaim
etaneilgpleerlvrydnsgclvkredlnkaeyvdqydaerdfyhslreyingkatalanlrksrgmlglleppakelq
gidpdetvpdnvktsvsqlyriseksvrkfleialfkyrkarlepgtaigaigaqsigepgtqmtlktfhfagvasmnvt
lgvprikeiinaskvistpiinavlvndnderaarvvkgrvektllsdvafyvqdvykdnlsfiqvridlgtidklqlel
tiediavaitrasklkiqasdvniigkdriainvfpegykaksistsakepsendvfyrmqqlrralpdvvvkglpdisr
avinirddgkrellvegyglrdvmctdgvigsrtttnhvlevfsvlgieaarysiireinytmsnhgmsvdprhiqllgd
vmtykgevlgitrfglskmrdsvlqlasfekttdhlfdaafymkkdavegvseciilgqtmsigtgsfkvvkgtnisekd
lvpkrclfeslsneaalkan

9/11 me to Craig

sorry .. no useful sites out there for doing phylogenetic analysis … I am working on such a type of thing right now. I tis tricky becuase to do it correctly you need to filter out parts of a multiple sequence alignment to remove badly aligned regions as well as hypervariable regions.

9/12 Craig to Me

Dear Mike, 

Yes, I can do this for the atypical RNA polymerase 2nd subunit. I have
already done multiple alignments with it against pol I, II, III subunits
and it is clear that the atypical subunit has amino acid differences that
set it apart, rather than large indels that skew the data. So I think
Jonathan is safe to go ahead and make a figure while I examine the gene
sequences and gene models more carefully. 

Any comments on the tone/amount of detail in the section I wrote on the
general transcription machinery? Either way, I will add some references
and send you an updated version as soon as I can. 

cheers
Craig

———————
>Speaking on behalf of the editorial committee whom I have not consulted, I
>would be delighted to have this in our section. But we need to check out the
>gene structure in detail (dodgy gene prediction, missing exons etc. Craig,
>could you so this as you know most about these enzymes
>
>All the best
>
>Mike

Me to Craig

Craig 

I am still working on a slightly better figure … but I have attached the latest version … I think it is sufficient for submission 

I have attached it in a few different formats. 

I will be out of town for a few days but checking email. 

Jonathan

Craig to Me:

Hi Jonathan,

The phytlogenetic tree figure for the atypical pol subunit looks good
though the font size may need to be reduced to fit “Fungal Plasmids”
between the dividing lines for the adjacent categories. Have you sent a
copy to Mike?

Craig

Craig again

Hi Jonathan, 

I forwarded a copy to Mike. Did you ever have a chance to do a tree for the
largest subunit to further test the hypothesis of a pol IV? 

Hope you are having fun in LA 

Craig

> I am not sure if I sent a copy to mike
>
>I am in LA right now and it would be easier if you could send mike a copy to
>make sure he has one. I will try and edit the figure and send one with a
>smaller font.
>
>J

10/3 Me to Craig:

Criag 

Attached is a new version of the rna pol tree with fonts corrected. I am going to add a few more sequences a rerun it and make a new tree tomorrow. 

Jonathan 

PS Also … here is a potential figure legend 

Figure. Phylogenetic tree of RNA polymerase homologs. Homologs of RNA polymerase were identified by searching sequence databases with representatives of the major known RNA polymerase subfamilies. These proteins, as well as six DNA polymerase homologs from A. thaliana, were aligned using clustalx using default settings. Phylogenetic trees were generated from the alignment (with ambiguously aligned regions and hypervariable regions excluded) using the PAUP* program. The tree shows was generated using the neighbor-joining algorithm with pairwise distances between sequences calculated with a PAM-like matrix. Numbers on the branches are bootstrap values indicating the percentage of 100 trees in which the proteins to the right of the node grouped together to the exclusion of all other proteins.

Craig 10/3

Hi Jonathan, 

I will look forward to seeing the final tree, as will Mike, I’m sure. For
the legend, the fact that this is an alignment of second-largest subunits
should be made clear. Here is a stab at a minor revision:

Figure—–. Phylogenetic tree for the second-largest subunit of
DNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Homologs of RNA polymerase second-largest
subunits were identified by searching sequence databases with
representatives of the major known subfamilies (e.g. pol I, II, III and
eubacterial beta subunits). Identified proteins, including six homologs
from A. thaliana, were
aligned using clustalx using default settings. Phylogenetic trees were
generated from the alignment (with ambiguously aligned regions and
hypervariable regions excluded) using the PAUP* program. The treewas generated using the neighbor-joining algorithm with pairwise distances
between sequences calculated with a PAM-like matrix. Numbers on the
branches are bootstrap values indicating the percentage of 100 trees inwhich the proteins to the right of the node group together to the
exclusion of all other proteins.

Thanks,
Craig

Me:

much better figure legend 

j

Anyway – and so it went. Alas, for a variety of reasons not much made it into the final paper. What was there was this:

Unexpectedly, Arabidopsis has two genes encoding a fourth class of largest subunit and second-largest subunit (Supplementary Information Fig. 5). It will be interesting to determine whether the atypical subunits comprise a polymerase that has a plant-specific function.

And of course, this Supplemental Information is not exactly easy to find and does not actually work correctly anymore:

Downloading the Zip file and opening first page.htm gets one to this

And then clicking on the Figure 5 you get a broken page w/o the Figure.

But there, hidden in the folder with the Supplemental Information is the figure

So that is the beginning of the story on RNA Pol IV in Arabidopsis.

Go read the E-life paper and some of what it cites for the last 15 years of the story.


My personal thoughts on Bordenstein & Theis Holobiont Paper – part 3 – terminology

Continuing on from The Tree of Life: My personal thoughts on Bordenstein and Theis Holobiont Paper – part 2 and The Tree of Life: My personal thoughts on Bordenstein and Theis: Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and Hologenomes

I am going to skip over the main Box 1 for now.  And go to Box 2 – Terminology because this will be important for the rest of the article

Box 2. Terminology

Coevolution: reciprocal evolution of interacting species

Seems OK.

Commensalism: a relationship benefiting one party while the other is unaffected

I am good with this.  Though I do wonder if they mean that this is a form of symbiosis or if it applies to any interaction even one that is not a symbiosis.  When I teach this I treat commensalism as a form of symbiosis.

Mutualism: a relationship benefiting both parties

Same comment as for commensalism

Parasitism: a relationship benefiting one party to the other’s detriment

Same comment as for commensalism and mutualism.

Symbiosis: two or more species living closely together in a long-term relationship

I am good with this

Macrobe: a eukaryotic host, most being visible by eye

I don’t think I like this.  Why does a macrobe have to be a eukaryote?

Microbiota: the microbes in or on a host, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, protists, and fungi

I am ok with this.  Though it would have been helpful to define host.

Microbiome: the complete genetic content of the microbiota

I do not like this use of microbiome personally.   See more here: What does the term microbiome mean? And where did it come from? A bit of a surprise ..

Holobiont: a unit of biological organization composed of a host and its microbiota

I am OK with this if the authors what to use it as a proposed definition to then test.  However, I am not at this point convinced that a there is a “unit” of biological organization here.  I would I guess prefer a holobiont to be defined as a “host and its microbiota” without the “unit of biological organization part”

Hologenome: the complete genetic content of the host genome, its organelles’ genomes, and its microbiome

I am OK with this as a proposed definition.

Microbe flow: the exchange of microbes between holobionts

Seems OK.

Phylosymbiosis: microbial community relationships changing in parallel with the host nuclear phylogeny

This seems potentially very useful to distinguish something from co-evolution.

Hologenome Concept of Evolution
The hologenome concept of evolution was first explicitly introduced in 1994 during a symposium lecture by Richard Jefferson [56], and it was independently derived in 2007 by Eugene Rosenberg and Ilana Zilber-Rosenberg [57]. 

Good to see some of the history here. And since Richard Jefferson has been talking to me about this for many years it is good to see him mentioned.

It posits that hosts and their microbiota are emergent individuals, or holobionts, that exhibit synergistic phenotypes that are subject to evolutionary forces [35–37]. 

I am fine with this as a “posit”.  Not saying I agree it is true.  But here it is presented clearly as what the Hologenome Concept implies.

Via fidelity of transmission from parents to offspring or stable acquisition of the microbiome from the environment, covariance between the host and microbiota can be established and maintained. 

OK again as an explanation of the model.

Consequently, as with phenotypes encoded by nuclear genomes, phenotypes encoded by beneficial, deleterious, and neutral microbes in the microbiome are subject to selection and drift within holobiont populations. Genetic variation among hologenomes can arise through changes to host genomes as well as through changes to the genomes of constituent symbiotic microbes [35–37,58]. The microbiomes, and thus their encoded phenotypes, can change through differences in the relative abundances of specific symbiotic microbes, the modification of the genomes of existing resident microbes, or the incorporation of new microbial symbionts into holobionts, which can occur even within the reproductive lifetime of hosts [58]. Importantly, genetic variation in the microbiome vastly exceeds that in the host genome and accumulates much more rapidly than variation in host genomes. Therefore, given that genetic variation is the raw material upon which evolution ultimately acts, microbial sources of hologenomic variation are potential targets of evolution, and, despite its inherent complexity, biologists must consider the incorporation of the microbiome in the overall study of evolution.

I am fine with all of this as an explanation of the model / concept.  Again, not saying I think it is right but good to see it laid out pretty clearly.

My personal thoughts on Bordenstein and Theis Holobiont Paper – part 2

See this The Tree of Life: My personal thoughts on Bordenstein and Theis: Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and Hologenomes for part 1 and background.  I note – part of why I wrote the previous post was Seth had complained in a blog post that some authors seemed to have not read his paper.  So I decided to read it.  And to comment on it publically.

After I posted about this there was some back and forth with Seth on Twitter.  Here is some of it:

Anyway, I am going through, sentence by sentence the paper.

I did the Abstract in the last post.  Now on to the Introduction

“The time has come to replace the purely reductionist ‘eyes-down’ molecular perspective with a new and genuinely holistic, eyes-up, view of the living world, one whose primary focus is on evolution, emergence, and biology’s innate complexity.”—Carl Woese (2004) [1]

Nice quote.

At the end of the 19th century, the theory of evolution via natural selection was birthed with the appreciation that individual animals and plants vary in their phenotypes and that competition at the individual level drives gradual change in the frequencies of these phenotypes [2]. 

No comments.

From this early vantage point, fusing evolution with Mendelian genetics in the early 20th century was a seamless transition in biology, namely one based on the framework that phenotypes in the individual animal and plant are encoded by the nuclear genome under the laws of Mendelian inheritance [3–5].

I really do not feel comfortable calling this a seamless transition.  From my reading and what I know of the history, it took a lot of work by people to both figure out how to make this transition, how to refine it and then how to convince others that it was correct.

In the mid-20th century, the modern synthesis grounded the nucleocentric foundation of zoology and botany in three areas: (1) the nuclear mutability and recombinogenic nature of organisms, (2) the sorting of this genetic variation by natural selection, and (3) the observations that macroevolutionary processes such as the origin of species can be explained in a manner that aligns with Mendelian genetics and microevolutionary mechanisms [6].

Calling zoology and botany “nucleocentric” seems unnecessary to me although I guess I am not sure what they point of this is.

The foundation of the modern synthesis remains as scientifically sound today as when it was conceived. 

I am not sure I understand what this is saying.  How would the scientific soundness of the synthesis change over time?  Or do they mean here “the perception of the scientific soundness?”

However, it is critical to recognize that microbiology was largely divorced from these early epochs in the life sciences.

Agreed.

The modern synthesis commenced at a time when the germ theory of disease dictated the prevailing wisdom on microbes, and the molecular tools used to understand the microbial world and its influence were inferior to those available now [7–11].

This is true but the tools were also inferior for characterizing anything.  Plus I do not think it was the molecular tools per se that changed things.  It was also ideas and theories.

The theories of gradual evolution and the modern synthesis were thus forged during periods of eukaryocentricism and nucleocentrism that did not appreciate the centrality of microbiology in zoology and botany because of limitations in perspective and technology.

Yes, good to mention the “limitations in perspective”.  But I am not sure what eukaryocentrism is exactly.  Or what nucleocentrism is either.  And I just do not feel comfortable with the “centrality of microbiology in zoology and botany statement”.  This seems to be putting the cart before the horse.  Are they central?  I don’t actual know.  Are they important?  Absolutely.  That is why I study host-microbe interactions.  But are they “central” – I would not go that far.  And I thought part of the point of this was that we need to test that, not posit it.

Today, there is an unmistakable transformation happening in the way that life is comprehended [12–16], and it is as significant for many biologists as the modern synthesis. Animals and plants are no longer viewed as autonomous entities, but rather as “holobionts” [17–21], composed of the host plus all of its symbiotic microbes (definitions in Box 1). 

I find this to be an enormous overstatement.  I for one do not believe we are even remotely near a point where understanding that plants and animals are “not autonomous entities” is getting to something akin to the modern synthesis.

The term “holobiont” traces back to Lynn Margulis and refers to symbiotic associations throughout a significant portion of an organism’s lifetime, with the prefix holo- derived from the Greek word holos, meaning whole or entire. 

I was not aware of the history.

Amid the flourishing of host microbiome studies, holobiont is now generally used to mean every macrobe and its numerous microbial associates [19,22], and the term importantly fills the gap in what to call such assemblages. 

I am not so sure that this is a useful term and I am not convinced that it “importantly” fills any gap.  Whether it fills any gap depends entirely on whether many of the claims in this paper are supported by evidence.  So stating this in the introduction seems awkward.

Symbiotic microbes are fundamental to nearly every aspect of host form, function, and fitness, including in traits that once seemed intangible to microbiology: behavior [23–26], sociality [27–30], and the origin of species [31]. 

I agree that microbes play more of a role than was thought.  I don’t think they play fundamental roles in “nearly every aspect of host form, function and fitness.”  What about vision? Xylem formation? Meiosis? Speech? Muscle contraction? Flight mechanics? And 100,000 other things.  Sure, microbes play fundamental roles in many aspects of host biology.  And that is awesome and why I study host-microbe interactions.  But this “nearly every aspect” is just really way overboard.

The conviction for a central role of microbiology in the life sciences has been growing exponentially, and microbial symbiosis is advancing from a subdiscipline to a central branch of knowledge in the life sciences [14,32–35].

I don’t find this convincing.

This revelation brings forth several newly appreciated facets of the life sciences, including the testable derivation that the nuclear genome, organelles, and microbiome of holobionts comprise a hologenome [35–37]. 

Ok.  This I am OK with.  Because rather than overstating things this presents something, finally, as something to test.

The hologenome concept is a holistic view of genetics in which animals and plants are polygenomic entities. Thus, variation in the hologenome can lead to variation in phenotypes upon which natural selection or genetic drift can operate. 

This seems to be presenting material as fact rather than hypothesis.

While there is a rich literature on coevolutionary genomics of binary host–microbe interactions, there have been few systematic attempts to align the true complexity of the total microbiome with the modern synthesis in a way that integrates these disparate fields [38–40].

I generally agree with this.

The object of this essay is to make the holobiont and hologenome concepts widely known. We clarify and append what they are and are not, explain how they are both consistent with and extend existing theory in ecology and evolutionary biology, and provide a predictive framework for evaluating them.

OK.

Our goal is to provide the main conceptual foundation for future hypothesis-driven research that unifies perceived divisions among subdisciplines of biology (e.g., zoology, botany, and microbiology) and advances the postmodern synthesis that we are now experiencing [41,42]. 

This rubs me the wrong way.  To aim to “provide the main conceptual foundation” seems to be exceptionally bold and arrogant.  And to, in this one paper provide such a conceptual foundation – I don’t think so.  And then to advance the post modern synthesis too?  How about we judge that AFTER the article is published not before?

We distill this topic with evidence-based reasoning to present the ten principles of holobionts and hologenomes (summarized in Box 1).

I guess I don’t really like this either.  “The” 10 principles?  How about just “10 principles”.  As this is written it implies there are no other principles that could be hypothesized.

OK … so that is the Introduction.  Will try to continue with the meat of the paper soon.

UPDATE: See part 3 here.

My personal thoughts on Bordenstein and Theis: Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and Hologenomes.

There are many discussions going on about a paper from Bordenstein and Theis that was published in PLOS Biology in August 2015. The paper is Bordenstein SR, Theis KR (2015) Host Biology in Light of the Microbiome: Ten Principles of Holobionts and Hologenomes. PLoS Biol 13(8): e1002226. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002226

A few days ago a paper came out by Moran and Sloan that discussed an alternative view of Hologenomes: Moran NA, Sloan DB (2015) The Hologenome Concept: Helpful or Hollow? PLoS Biol 13(12): e1002311. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002311.

I made some comments on Twitter when the 1st paper came out about how I was skeptical of the paper and in discussions with Seth Bordenstein I said I would try to write up my thoughts.  And when I was pointed to the second paper today I posted to Twitter that I thought it was important and got into a brief discussion with Seth about the paper. 
In thinking about the papers and science publishing and scientific discussions I have decicded to try and carry out a new experiment.  I am going to go, as fast as I can, line for line through the papers and post my thoughts in response to those lines.  And I will try to be honest even if my thoughts are not, well thought out or nice or helpful.  I am just going to post the thoughts.  And one reason I want to do this is I worry (or maybe realize) that my judgement may be being affected here by visceral responses to some of the lines.  In particular, I confess, some of the way the Bordenstein and Theis article is written really rubs me the wrong way.  Nothing personal against the authors.  But the text did not agree with me in parts.  And I think that may have affected my response to the article.  I do not know for sure but it seems possible.  
Regardless, I am going to try and go through this.  And for now I am going to just start with the Abstract.

Groundbreaking research on the universality and diversity of microorganisms is now challenging the life sciences to upgrade fundamental theories that once seemed untouchable.

I personally find this to be a bit too extreme. Really – did they once seem untouchable? To whom?

To fully appreciate the change that the field is now undergoing, one has to place the epochs and foundational principles of Darwin, Mendel, and the modern synthesis in light of the current advances that are enabling a new vision for the central importance of microbiology.  

I think it is overstating the “central importance of microbiology” to place it somehow in line with Darwin, Mendel and the modern synthesis

Animals and plants are no longer heralded as autonomous entities but rather as biomolecular networks composed of the host plus its associated microbes, i.e., “holobionts.” 

While on the one hand I agree with part of this statement I think it is making a claim and stating it as a fact when this is what is being debated.

 As such, their collective genomes forge a “hologenome,” and models of animal and plant biology that do not account for these intergenomic associations are incomplete. 

Certainly animal and plant biology has to account for microbes. But it is false logic to say that one can only account for microbes by following the hologenome concepts.

Here, we integrate these concepts into historical and contemporary visions of biology and summarize a predictive and refutable framework for their evaluation. 

No thoughts on this.

Specifically, we present ten principles that clarify and append what these concepts are and are not, explain how they both support and extend existing theory in the life sciences, and discuss their potential ramifications for the multifaceted approaches of zoology and botany. 

Confession. Saying ones own principles “clarify” something rubs me the wrong way. I would really have preferred it if they said “attempt to clarify”.

We anticipate that the conceptual and evidence-based foundation provided in this essay will serve as a roadmap for hypothesis-driven, experimentally validated research on holobionts and their hologenomes, thereby catalyzing the continued fusion of biology’s subdisciplines. 

I find this to be really overstated too. I don’t think what you have presented in this paper is a roadmap. And for you to call it that sets up this essay as basically saying that everything else that has come before is limited and lame.

At a time when symbiotic microbes are recognized as fundamental to all aspects of animal and plant biology, the holobiont and hologenome concepts afford a holistic view of biological complexity that is consistent with the generally reductionist approaches of biology. 

I do not think symbiotic microbes are fundamental to all aspects of animal and plant biology. I think this is actually a silly statement and makes me doubt the objectivity of the authors.

  UPDATE: See part 2 here.






DOE JGI User meeting 3/22-24

The DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) 11th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting, March 22-24, 2016, will bring together about 450 researchers from over 75 different institutions from all over the world to this vibrant scientific gathering in Walnut Creek, California. Presentation topics include: Microbial genomics, fungal genomics, metagenomics, and plant genomics; genome editing, secondary metabolites, pathway engineering, synthetic biology, high-throughput functional genomics, and high-performance computing applications. Additional short talks will be selected from poster abstracts. Abstracts are due March 7, 2016. The list of confirmed speakers has been posted here. Register now. Workshops precede the main meeting on Fungal Genomics, NERSC: Reproducible Bioinformatics Pipelines, Synthetic Biology, Genomic Technologies, Sample QC, and KBase.

2016 L’Oreal USA For Women in Science Fellowship Program Applications

Just got this and thought it would be of interest

Dear Colleague:

Applications for the 2016 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program are now open.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program recognizes and rewards the contributions women make in STEM fields and identifies exceptional women researchers committed to serving as role models for younger generations. More than 2,250 women scientists in over 110 countries have been recognized since the program began in 1998.

In the US, the For Women In Science fellowship program awards five post‐doctoral women scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each. Applicants are selected from a variety of fields, including the life and physical/material sciences, technology (including computer science), engineering, and mathematics.

I invite you to collaborate with us and spread the word to your community about this special fellowship program for exceptional female post‐doctoral researchers who are also committed to serving as role models for the next generation of girls in STEM.

I have attached materials to help you share information about this prestigious fellowship program, and I hope that with your help we can encourage some of your institution’s outstanding women post‐docs to apply.

Attached, please find:

· Application Flyer (optimized for email forwarding or printing as an 8.5” x 11” poster)

· Social Media Graphics (for a Facebook or Twitter post)

· Application FAQ

· FWIS Program Fact Sheet

The application and more information about the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science program can be found at www.lorealusa.com/forwomeninscience. Applications are due on Friday, February 5, 2016.

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please e‐mail me at rpacifico.

Thank you for considering this fellowship opportunity and for your help in advancing the role of women in science.

Sincerely,

Rachel Pacifico

2016 FAQ.pdf

FWIS 2016 Application Flyer.pdf

FWIS Fact Sheet.pdf

A novel way to help do something novel and useful in #STEM – support Detective Dot

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/533144978/detective-dot-adventure-stories-for-a-fairer-world/widget/video.html

USDA email on Preparing for Possible Findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Just got this by email .. not sure why … but seems like it could e of interest

aphis_stakeholder_registry_usdalogo_banner.jpg

USDA Continues to Prepare for Any Possible Findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Washington, December 4, 2015 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to prepare for any potential findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). An outbreak of HPAI during spring and summer 2015 was the largest animal health emergency in the country’s history. APHIS and its partners worked throughout the fall to put plans in place to address the disease should it reappear.

The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations. As part of the wild bird surveillance effort, APHIS and its wildlife agency partners will be sampling more than 40,000 wild birds between July 1, 2015 and July 1, 2016 – with more than 24,000 samples already tested. Samples are being collected from both hunter-harvested birds and from wild bird mortalities.

As part of these surveillance efforts, Eurasian H5 avian influenza was recently found in genetic material collected from a wild duck, but testing was unable to determine the exact strain of the viruses or whether they were high pathogenic or low pathogenic. This recent finding of Eurasian H5 was in a wild, hunter-harvested mallard duck in Morrow County, Oregon in November. No HPAI has been identified in any commercial or backyard poultry since June 17, 2015.

On November 18, USDA reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that all cases of HPAI in commercial poultry have been resolved and that the US is again free of HPAI.

Producers and the industry are working to enhance their biosecurity on farms to help provide even better protection against the virus should a reappearance of HPAI occur. Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. To facilitate such a review, a biosecurity self-assessment and educational materials can be found at http://www.uspoultry.org/animal_husbandry/intro.cfm

In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.

Additional background

Avian influenza (AI) is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese and guinea fowl) and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. AI viruses are classified by a combination of two groups of proteins: hemagglutinin or “H” proteins, of which there are 16 (H1–H16), and neuraminidase or “N” proteins, of which there are 9 (N1–N9). Many different combinations of “H” and “N” proteins are possible. Each combination is considered a different subtype, and can be further broken down into different strains. AI viruses are further classified by their pathogenicity (low or high)—the ability of a particular virus strain to produce disease in domestic chickens.

#

At #UCDavis today Nancy Chen on”Genomics of population decline in the Florida Scrub-Jay”

***** CPB Seminar Reminder for Tuesday, December 8, 4:10pm in 1022 Life Sciences *****

Last CPB Seminar of Fall Quarter!

Speaker: Nancy Chen

Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Evolution and Ecology, UC Davis
Title: “Genomics of population decline in the Florida Scrub-Jay”
Host: Graham Coop

The entire CPB Fall Quarter 2015 Seminar schedule is available here.

Next-Gen Immunology: Yet Another Mostly Male Meeting #YAMMM (hosted by @WeizmannScience sponsored by EMBO)

Just got pointed to this meeting:

NEXT GEN IMMUNOLOGY meeting Feb 14-16 hosted by the Weizmann Institute of Science

Here are the speakers.  People I identified as male in Yellow and female in Green

  1. Shizuo Akira, IFREC
  2. Jakub Abramson, WIS
  3. David Artis, Cornell
  4. David Baltimore, Cal Tech
  5. Yasmine Belkaid, NIH
  6. Yinon Ben-Neriah, HUJI
  7. Bruce Beutler, U Texas Southwestern
  8. Michael Fischbach, UCSF
  9. Richard Flavell, Yale
  10. Lora Hooper, U Texas Southwestern
  11. Steffen Jung, WIS
  12. Dennis Kasper, Harvard
  13. Rob Knight, UCSD
  14. Vijay K. Kuchroo, Harvard
  15. Dan Littman, NYU
  16. Andrew Macpherson, Bern
  17. Sarkis Mazmanian, Cal Tech
  18. Yifat Merbl, WIS
  19. Karen Nelson, JCVI
  20. Luke O’Neill, Trinity College
  21. Stuart Orkin, Harvard
  22. Hidde Ploegh, MIT
  23. Fiona Powrie, Oxford
  24. Klaus Rajewsky, MDC
  25. Hans-Reimer Rodewald, DKFZ
  26. Timm Schroeder, ETH/Basel
  27. Ton Schumacher, NKI
  28. Eran Segal, WIS
  29. Julie Segre, NIH
  30. Michal Schwartz, WIS
  31. Rotem Sorek, WIS
  32. Henk stunnenberg, Radboud
  33. Amos Tanay, WIS
  34. Andreas Trumpp, DKFZ
  35. Irving Weissman, Stanford
  36. Ramnik Xavier, Broad
  37. Feng Zhang, MIT

37 Speakers, 6 7 Female

M:F% 84:16, 81: 19
16% 19% Female

6 and 31 were counted at #NextGenImm. Learn more at GenderAvenger Tally!function(d,s,id){var e,f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’http’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){e=d.createElement(s);e.id=id; e.src=p + “://app.genderavenger.com/js/lib/embed.js”;f.parentNode.insertBefore(e,f);}}(document,”script”,”genderavenger-embed”);