Wheeler, D.Hope, R.Cooper, S.Dolman, G.Webb, G.Bottema, C.Gooley, A.Goodman, M.Holland, R.2006-07-222006-07-222001Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2001; 98(3):1101-11060027-84241091-6490http://hdl.handle.net/2440/13292© 2001 National Academy of SciencesMammals possess multiple, closely linked β-globin genes that differ in the timing of their expression during development. These genes have been thought to be derived from a single ancestral gene, by duplication events that occurred after the separation of the mammals and birds. We report the isolation and characterization of an atypical β-like globin gene (ω-globin) in marsupials that appears to be more closely related to avian β-globin genes than to other mammalian β-globin genes, including those previously identified in marsupials. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that ω-globin evolved from an ancient gene duplication event that occurred before the divergence of mammals and birds. Furthermore, we show that ω-globin is unlinked to the previously characterized β-globin gene cluster of marsupials, making this the first report of an orphaned β-like globin gene expressed in a vertebrate.enAnimalsMammalsMarsupialiaHumansGlobinsCloning, MolecularPolymerase Chain ReactionSequence AlignmentEvolution, MolecularPhylogenyGene DuplicationAmino Acid SequenceBase SequenceMolecular Sequence DataJournal article002001068510.1073/pnas.98.3.11010001668073000622-s2.0-003597011861862Cooper, S. [0000-0002-7843-8438]Dolman, G. [0000-0001-7611-6841]Bottema, C. [0000-0001-6245-0099]