LMNA: The Root of Progeria

Sequence 1: [Human]           664 aa
Sequence 2: [Chimp]            664 aa
Sequence 3: [Dog]                665 aa
Sequence 4: [Cow]                572 aa
Sequence 5: [Mouse]            665 aa
Sequence 6: [Zebrafish]       659 aa

Sequences (1:2) Aligned. Score:  99
Sequences (1:3) Aligned. Score:  98
Sequences (1:4) Aligned. Score:  97
Sequences (1:5) Aligned. Score:  96
Sequences (1:6) Aligned. Score:  63
Sequences (2:3) Aligned. Score:  98
Sequences (2:4) Aligned. Score:  97
Sequences (2:5) Aligned. Score:  96
Sequences (2:6) Aligned. Score:  62
Sequences (3:4) Aligned. Score:  96
Sequences (3:5) Aligned. Score:  95
Sequences (3:6) Aligned. Score:  64
Sequences (4:5) Aligned. Score:  95
Sequences (4:6) Aligned. Score:  67
Sequences (5:6) Aligned. Score:  62

Group 1: Sequences:   2      Score:14184
Group 2: Sequences:   3      Score:14076
Group 3: Sequences:   4      Score:13922
Group 4: Sequences:   5      Score:12003
Group 5: Sequences:   6      Score:11369
Alignment Score: 48646

To the left are the alignment scores of the human, chimpanzee, dog, cow, mouse, and zebrafish homologs of the LMNA gene.  The alignments were done using the amino acid sequence of these genes and using the ClustalW alignment program.  Also if any isoforms of the gene were present in any species the first variant was used.  The isoforms within each species were extremely similar, most with identity scores above 90%, so no major discrepancies in alignment scores would occur.  From the identity scores given by ClustalW, the homology within mammal is very high, mouse being the lowest with 96% similarity.  Naturally, the zebrafish has the lowest identity score of 63%.  These findings are reflected in the phylogeny section when looking at the evolutionary pattern of this gene.  Homologs of LMNA are found in nearly every specie as it is vital to the nuclear envelope and maintaining the structure of the nucleus throughout the life of a cell.  Because of LMNA's overwhelming importance it is a highly conserved, like any other gene involved in the cell cycle (1).