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Evolution of Chemical Defense Genes
Defensive genes and pathways in an organism collectively allow the
organism to sense, transform and eliminate chemicals, and maintain
homeostasis in the face of a variable environment. These genes and
pathways may be especially important early in development, when an
organism must cope with the environment during sensitive stages prior
to the maturation of defensive systems, including organ
differentiation. Environmental chemicals handled by defensive proteins
include microbial products, heavy metals, phytotoxins, and other
natural products, as well as anthropogenic chemicals such as pesticides
and synthetic hydrocarbon derivatives. Furthermore, externally and
internally generated ROS and endogenously generated toxicants such as
lipid peroxides and heme degradation products must also be transformed
or eliminated.
I am engaged
in phylogenomic investigations of CYP genes in animal species spanning all of Metazoa, with particular focus on marine
species. I have previously published analyses of the sea urchin and sea anemone
‘defensome,’ including the CYP genes.
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