The evolution of the IGF binding protein (IGFBP) gene family has been difficult to resolve.
Both chromosomal and serial duplications have been suggested as mechanisms for the …

Background Vertebrate color vision is dependent on four major color opsin subtypes: RH2 (green
opsin), SWS1 (ultraviolet opsin), SWS2 (blue opsin), and LWS (red opsin). Together …

The voltage-gated sodium channel (SCN) alpha subunits are large proteins with central
roles in the generation of action potentials. They consist of approximately 2,000 amino acids …

A recent study used 61 extant animal genomes to reconstruct the chromosomes of the
hypothetical amniote ancestor. Comparison of this karyotype to the 17 chordate linkage groups …

The vertebrate oxytocin and vasopressin receptors form a family of G-protein-coupled
receptors (GPCRs) that mediate a large variety of functions, including social behavior and the …

Somatostatin (SS) and urotensin II (UII) are members of two families of structurally related
neuropeptides present in all vertebrates. They exert a large array of biological activities that …

Growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), prolactin 2 (PRL2) and somatolactin (SL) belong to
the same hormone family and have a wide repertoire of effects including development, …

The neuronal and neuroendocrine peptides oxytocin (OT) and vasotocin (VT), including
vasopressins, have six cognate receptors encoded by six receptor subtype genes in jawed …

The receptors for the pituitary hormones growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and somatolactin
(SL), and the hematopoietic hormones erythropoietin (EPO) and thrombopoietin (TPO), …

Hundreds of gene families expanded in the early vertebrate tetraploidizations including many
gene families in the phototransduction cascade. We have investigated the evolution of the …