A Comparative Genomic and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Origin and Evolution of the CCN Gene Family

Figure 6

Potential evolutionary relationships of the CCN gene family. A diagram was drawn to illustrate the potential evolutionary scenario among the CCN gene family. Rectangles with different colors stand for the different domains. CCN is likely to originate from the gene with a relatively primitive formation in E. multilocularis (flatworm). Arrow indicates the evolutionary process from ancient CCNs to present-day CCNs, during which massive homologs are produced due to numerous rounds (nR) of extensive gene duplication events and lineage-specific expansion.