NOTCH1 Protein
What is phylogenetics?
Phylogenetics is the study of evolutionary relatedness. Genetic, molecular, archeological, and historic data can be used to predict ancestral relations and classify organisms [1]. The physical depiction of these relations, often referred to as "trees of life", are cladograms which depict the evolutionary distance between organisms [1]. Branch points on the trees represent common ancestors. For example, above, birds and snakes share a recent common ancestor; however, snakes and lizards share a more recent common ancestor.
How has NOTCH1 evolved?
More NOTCH1 trees linked in the files below!
Conclusion
While NOTCH1 is well conserved in vertebrates with complex cardiovascular systems (hearts), its conservation breaks down after that. Here we can see that C. elegans is the clear out-group. It is likely that NOTCH1 plays a significant role in the development of chambered hearts.