Data from: The evolutionary conservation of the A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinase domain with Thrombospondin-1 motif metzincins across vertebrate species and their expression in teleost zebrafish

Background: The A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinase domain with Thrombospondin-1 motifs (ADAMTS) enzymes comprise 19 mammalian zinc-dependent metalloproteinases (metzincins) with homologues in a wide range of invertebrates. ADAMTS enzymes have a broad range of functions in development and diseases due to their extracellular matrix remodelling activity. Here, we report a detailed characterisation of their evolutionary conservation across vertebrates. Results: Using bioinformatics complemented with de novo sequencing, gene sequences for ADAMTS enzymes were obtained from a variety of organisms. Detailed evolutionary analyses revealed a high level of conservation across vertebrates with evidence of ADAMTS gene expansion during two rounds of whole genome duplication (WGD) in vertebrates, while tandem duplication events and gene loss were also apparent. However, the additional round of teleost-specific WGD did not have a significant effect on ADAMTS gene family members suggesting their conserved roles have remained constant in teleost fish. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed dynamic expression of adamts genes throughout zebrafish embryonic development reflecting the key conserved roles they play in vertebrate embryogenesis. Notably, several adamts mRNAs were maternally expressed with a dramatic increase in mRNA levels coinciding with zygotic expression and organogenesis. Broad adamts mRNA expression was also demonstrated in several adult organs indicating potential roles in adult homeostasis. Conclusions: Our data highlight the evolution of the ADAMTS gene family through duplication processes across metazoans supplemented by a burst of amplification through vertebrate WGD events. It also strongly posits the zebrafish as a potential model species to further elucidate the function of ADAMTS enzymes during vertebrate development.**背景**：含血小板反应蛋白1基序的解整合素样金属蛋白酶（A Disintegrin-like and Metalloproteinase domain with Thrombospondin-1 motifs，ADAMTS）家族酶类包含19种哺乳动物锌依赖性金属蛋白酶（金属肽酶家族，metzincins），且在广泛的无脊椎动物中存在其同源物。ADAMTS酶类凭借其细胞外基质重塑活性，在发育进程与疾病发生中发挥广泛功能。本研究针对脊椎动物中ADAMTS家族的进化保守性展开了详尽的特征分析。 **结果**：本研究借助生物信息学分析结合从头测序技术，从多种生物中获取了ADAMTS酶的基因序列。详尽的进化分析显示，脊椎动物中的ADAMTS家族具有高度保守性，且存在两次脊椎动物全基因组复制（whole genome duplication, WGD）事件驱动的ADAMTS基因扩张现象，同时串联复制事件与基因丢失现象也较为显著。然而，硬骨鱼特有的额外一次全基因组复制事件并未对ADAMTS基因家族成员产生显著影响，这表明其保守功能在硬骨鱼中保持稳定。定量反转录聚合酶链反应分析显示，adamts基因在斑马鱼胚胎发育过程中呈现动态表达模式，这反映了其在脊椎动物胚胎发生中发挥的关键保守功能。值得注意的是，部分adamts mRNA为母源表达，其转录本水平在合子表达与器官发生阶段出现显著升高。此外，多种成体器官中也检测到广泛的adamts mRNA表达，提示其在成体稳态维持中具有潜在功能。 **结论**：本研究数据阐明了ADAMTS基因家族在整个后生动物界中通过复制事件演化的历程，并辅以脊椎动物全基因组复制事件带来的基因扩增爆发。同时，本研究有力地提出斑马鱼可作为潜在模式物种，用于进一步解析ADAMTS酶类在脊椎动物发育过程中的功能。