Evolutionary processes in RAD51 gene duplications in amoebae

• Grant number: 20/00364-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Daniel José Galafasse Lahr
• Grantee: João Pedro Alcino Barbosa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In a pilot project we found evidence of gene duplication of RAD51 recombinase in the transcriptome of the testate amoeba Cryptodifflugia operculata. RAD51 is part of the recombinases superfamily. Recombinases are proteins responsible for DNA repair by homology. This project aims to define the presence or absence of RAD51 duplications in the Cryptodifflugia operculata genome from DNA extraction, cloning and PCR analysis. If the copies are not artifactual, their rates of synonym and non-synonym substitution will be analyzed. The values obtained will be compared with each other seeking to determine the selection process to which they are submitted (adaptive, purifying or neutral). (AU)