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Circadian Input Kinases and Their Homologs in Cyanobacteria: Evolutionary Constraints Versus Architectural Diversification

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Abstract

The circadian input kinase A (cikA) gene encodes a protein relaying environmental signal to the central circadian oscillator in cyanobacteria. The CikA protein has a variable architecture and usually consists of four tandemly arrayed domains: GAF, histidine kinase (HisKA), histidine kinase-like ATPase (HATPase_c), and a pseudo-receiver (REC). Among them, HisKA and HATPase_c are the least polymorphic, and REC is not present in heterocystic filamentous cyanobacteria. CikA contains several conserved motifs that are likely important for circadian function. There are at least three types of circadian systems, each of which possesses a different set of circadian genes. The originally described circadian system (kaiABC system) possesses both cikA and kaiA, while the others lack either only cikA (kaiABC Δ) or both (kaiBC). The results we obtained allowed us to approximate the time of the cikA origin to be about 2600–2200 MYA and the time of its loss in the species with the kaiABC Δ or kaiBC system between 1100 and 600 MYA. Circadian specialization of CikA, as opposed to its non-circadian homologs, is a result of several factors, including the unique conserved domain architecture and high evolutionary constraints of some domains and regions, which were previously identified as critical for the circadian function of the gene.

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Abbreviations

CikA:

Circadian input kinase A

MYA:

Million years ago

NCBI:

National Center for Biotechnology Information

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the University of Hong Kong start-up fund for VD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova

    Ivan Baca

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242-0001, USA

    Daniel Sprockett

  3. School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Rd., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

    Volodymyr Dvornyk

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  1. Ivan Baca
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Correspondence to Volodymyr Dvornyk.

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Baca, I., Sprockett, D. & Dvornyk, V. Circadian Input Kinases and Their Homologs in Cyanobacteria: Evolutionary Constraints Versus Architectural Diversification. J Mol Evol 70, 453–465 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-010-9344-0

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