Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and recombination signal binding protein (RBP) belong to the family of Rel homology region (RHR) transcription factors which regulate the expression of genes involved in different aspects of the immune response. To gain insights into the evolution and characterisation of RHR genes in lampreys, a jawless vertebrate, four RHR genes, including nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJ), have been identified and cloned from the lamprey (Lethenteron reissneri) database. Evolutionary relationships of NFAT and RBPJ genes among different species were determined through molecular phylogenetic analysis. Motif, genetic structure, and tertiary structure analyses showed that NFATs and RBPJ are conserved and contain RHD and IPT domains. Moreover, synteny analysis showed that the neighbourhood genes of Lr-NFATs and Lr-RBPJ have undergone significant changes compared to jawed vertebrates. Real-time quantitative results demonstrated that the RHR gene family plays a significant role in immune defence. This study provides a new understanding of the origin and evolution of the RHR gene family in different species.

活化 T 细胞核因子 (NFAT) 和重组信号结合蛋白 (RBP) 属于 Rel 同源区 (RHR) 转录因子家族，它们调节参与免疫反应不同方面的基因的表达。为了深入了解七鳃鳗（一种无颌脊椎动物）中RHR基因的进化和特征，已鉴定出四种RHR基因，包括活化 T 细胞核因子 ( NFAT ) 和免疫球蛋白 kappa J 区重组信号结合蛋白 ( RBPJ )，并从七鳃鳗 ( Lethenteron reissneri ) 数据库中克隆。NFAT和RBPJ 的进化关系通过分子系统发育分析确定不同物种之间的基因。基序、遗传结构和三级结构分析表明 NFAT 和 RBPJ 是保守的，包含 RHD 和 IPT 域。此外，同线性分析表明，与有颌脊椎动物相比，Lr-NFATs和Lr-RBPJ的邻域基因发生了显着变化。实时定量结果表明RHR基因家族在免疫防御中起着重要作用。该研究为不同物种中RHR基因家族的起源和进化提供了新的认识。