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Ferreira JS, Bruschi DP. Tracking the Diversity and Chromosomal Distribution of the Olfactory Receptor Gene Repertoires of Three Anurans Species. J Mol Evol 2023; 91:793-805. [PMID: 37906255 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-023-10135-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction is a crucial capability for most vertebrates and is realized through olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity. The enormous diversity of olfactory receptors has been created by gene duplication, following a birth-and-death model of evolution. The olfactory receptor genes of the amphibians have received relatively little attention up to now, although recent studies have increased the number of species for which data are available. This study analyzed the diversity and chromosomal distribution of the OR genes of three anuran species (Engystomops pustulosus, Bufo bufo and Hymenochirus boettgeri). The OR genes were identified through searches for homologies, and sequence filtering and alignment using bioinformatic tools and scripts. A high diversity of OR genes was found in all three species, ranging from 917 in B. bufo to 1194 in H. boettgeri, and a total of 2076 OR genes in E. pustulosus. Six OR groups were recognized using an evolutionary gene tree analysis. While E. pustulosus has one of the highest numbers of genes of the gamma group (which detect airborne odorants) yet recorded in an anuran, B. bufo presented the smallest number of pseudogene sequences ever identified, with no pseudogenes in either the beta or epsilon groups. Although H. boettgeri shares many morphological adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle with Xenopus, and presented a similar number of genes related to the detection of water-soluble odorants, it had comparatively far fewer genes related to the detection of airborne odorants. This study is the first to describe the complete OR repertoire of the three study species and represents an important contribution to the understanding of the evolution and function of the sense of smell in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Sousa Ferreira
- Laboratório de Citogenética Evolutiva e Conservação Animal (LabCECA), Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Paraná, Brazil
| | - Daniel Pacheco Bruschi
- Laboratório de Citogenética Evolutiva e Conservação Animal (LabCECA), Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Paraná, Brazil.
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2
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Westbury MV, Le Duc D, Duchêne DA, Krishnan A, Prost S, Rutschmann S, Grau JH, Dalen L, Weyrich A, Norén K, Werdelin L, Dalerum F, Schöneberg T, Hofreiter M. Ecological Specialisation and Evolutionary Reticulation in Extant Hyaenidae. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:3884-3897. [PMID: 34426844 PMCID: PMC8382907 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During the Miocene, Hyaenidae was a highly diverse family of Carnivora that has since been severely reduced to four species: the bone-cracking spotted, striped, and brown hyenas, and the specialized insectivorous aardwolf. Previous studies investigated the evolutionary histories of the spotted and brown hyenas, but little is known about the remaining two species. Moreover, the genomic underpinnings of scavenging and insectivory, defining traits of the extant species, remain elusive. Here, we generated an aardwolf genome and analyzed it together with the remaining three species to reveal their evolutionary relationships, genomic underpinnings of their scavenging and insectivorous lifestyles, and their respective genetic diversities and demographic histories. High levels of phylogenetic discordance suggest gene flow between the aardwolf lineage and the ancestral brown/striped hyena lineage. Genes related to immunity and digestion in the bone-cracking hyenas and craniofacial development in the aardwolf showed the strongest signals of selection, suggesting putative key adaptations to carrion and termite feeding, respectively. A family-wide expansion in olfactory receptor genes suggests that an acute sense of smell was a key early adaptation. Finally, we report very low levels of genetic diversity within the brown and striped hyenas despite no signs of inbreeding, putatively linked to their similarly slow decline in effective population size over the last ∼2 million years. High levels of genetic diversity and more stable population sizes through time are seen in the spotted hyena and aardwolf. Taken together, our findings highlight how ecological specialization can impact the evolutionary history, demographics, and adaptive genetic changes of an evolutionary lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- M V Westbury
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany.,Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Diana Le Duc
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - David A Duchêne
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Arunkumar Krishnan
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, Odisha, 760010, India
| | - Stefan Prost
- LOEWE-Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg, 60325, Germany. Frankfurt.,South African National Biodiversity Institute, National Zoological Garden, Pretoria, 0184, South Africa
| | - Sereina Rutschmann
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| | - Jose H Grau
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany.,amedes Genetics, amedes Medizinische Dienstleistungen, Berlin, Germany
| | - Love Dalen
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Svante Arrhenius väg 20C, Stockholm, 10691, Sweden.,Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, Stockholm, 10405, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Weyrich
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, 10315, Germany
| | - Karin Norén
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden
| | - Lars Werdelin
- Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, Stockholm, SE-10405, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 106 91, Sweden.,Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), Mieres Campus, University of Oviedo, Mieres, Asturias, 33600, Spain.,Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Torsten Schöneberg
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Johannisallee 30, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
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3
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Hall MR, Kocot KM, Baughman KW, Fernandez-Valverde SL, Gauthier MEA, Hatleberg WL, Krishnan A, McDougall C, Motti CA, Shoguchi E, Wang T, Xiang X, Zhao M, Bose U, Shinzato C, Hisata K, Fujie M, Kanda M, Cummins SF, Satoh N, Degnan SM, Degnan BM. The crown-of-thorns starfish genome as a guide for biocontrol of this coral reef pest. Nature 2017; 544:231-234. [PMID: 28379940 DOI: 10.1038/nature22033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS, the Acanthaster planci species group) is a highly fecund predator of reef-building corals throughout the Indo-Pacific region. COTS population outbreaks cause substantial loss of coral cover, diminishing the integrity and resilience of reef ecosystems. Here we sequenced genomes of COTS from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia and Okinawa, Japan to identify gene products that underlie species-specific communication and could potentially be used in biocontrol strategies. We focused on water-borne chemical plumes released from aggregating COTS, which make the normally sedentary starfish become highly active. Peptide sequences detected in these plumes by mass spectrometry are encoded in the COTS genome and expressed in external tissues. The exoproteome released by aggregating COTS consists largely of signalling factors and hydrolytic enzymes, and includes an expanded and rapidly evolving set of starfish-specific ependymin-related proteins. These secreted proteins may be detected by members of a large family of olfactory-receptor-like G-protein-coupled receptors that are expressed externally, sometimes in a sex-specific manner. This study provides insights into COTS-specific communication that may guide the generation of peptide mimetics for use on reefs with COTS outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Hall
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
| | - Kevin M Kocot
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Baughman
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Selene L Fernandez-Valverde
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Marie E A Gauthier
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - William L Hatleberg
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Arunkumar Krishnan
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Carmel McDougall
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Cherie A Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
| | - Eiichi Shoguchi
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Xueyan Xiang
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Min Zhao
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.,Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Utpal Bose
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Cape Ferguson, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia.,Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Chuya Shinzato
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Kanako Hisata
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Manabu Fujie
- DNA Sequencing Section, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kanda
- DNA Sequencing Section, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Scott F Cummins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland 4558, Australia
| | - Noriyuki Satoh
- Marine Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Sandie M Degnan
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Bernard M Degnan
- Centre for Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Lu Q, Wang K, Lei F, Yu D, Zhao H. Penguins reduced olfactory receptor genes common to other waterbirds. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31671. [PMID: 27527385 PMCID: PMC4985648 DOI: 10.1038/srep31671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The sense of smell, or olfaction, is fundamental in the life of animals. However, penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes) possess relatively small olfactory bulbs compared with most other waterbirds such as Procellariiformes and Gaviiformes. To test whether penguins have a reduced reliance on olfaction, we analyzed the draft genome sequences of the two penguins, which diverged at the origin of the order Sphenisciformes; we also examined six closely related species with available genomes, and identified 29 one-to-one orthologous olfactory receptor genes (i.e. ORs) that are putatively functionally conserved and important across the eight birds. To survey the 29 one-to-one orthologous ORs in penguins and their relatives, we newly generated 34 sequences that are missing from the draft genomes. Through the analysis of totaling 378 OR sequences, we found that, of these functionally important ORs common to other waterbirds, penguins have a significantly greater percentage of OR pseudogenes than other waterbirds, suggesting a reduction of olfactory capability. The penguin-specific reduction of olfactory capability arose in the common ancestor of penguins between 23 and 60 Ma, which may have resulted from the aquatic specializations for underwater vision. Our study provides genetic evidence for a possible reduction of reliance on olfaction in penguins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Lu
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Huabin Zhao
- Department of Ecology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Abstract
The olfactory (OR) and vomeronasal receptor (VR) repertoires are collectively encoded by 1700 genes and pseudogenes in the mouse genome. Most OR and VR genes were identified by comparative genomic techniques and therefore, in many of those cases, only their protein coding sequences are defined. Some also lack experimental support, due in part to the similarity between them and their monogenic, cell-specific expression in olfactory tissues. Here we use deep RNA sequencing, expression microarray and quantitative RT-PCR in both the vomeronasal organ and whole olfactory mucosa to quantify their full transcriptomes in multiple male and female mice. We find evidence of expression for all VR, and almost all OR genes that are annotated as functional in the reference genome, and use the data to generate over 1100 new, multi-exonic, significantly extended receptor gene annotations. We find that OR and VR genes are neither equally nor randomly expressed, but have reproducible distributions of abundance in both tissues. The olfactory transcriptomes are only minimally different between males and females, suggesting altered gene expression at the periphery is unlikely to underpin the striking sexual dimorphism in olfactory-mediated behavior. Finally, we present evidence that hundreds of novel, putatively protein-coding genes are expressed in these highly specialized olfactory tissues, and carry out a proof-of-principle validation. Taken together, these data provide a comprehensive, quantitative catalog of the genes that mediate olfactory perception and pheromone-evoked behavior at the periphery. The sense of smell in mice involves the detection of odors and pheromones by many hundreds of olfactory and vomeronasal receptors. The genes that encode these receptors account for around 5% of the whole gene catalog, but they are poorly understood because they are very similar to each other, and are thought to be turned on randomly in only a small number of cells. Here we use multiple gene expression technologies to curate and measure the activity of all the genes involved in the detection of odors and find evidence of many new ones. We show that most genes encoding olfactory and vomeronasal receptors have complex, multi-exonic structures that generate different isoforms. We find that some receptors are consistently more abundant in the nose than others, which suggests they are not turned on randomly. This may explain why mice are particularly sensitive to some odors, but less attuned to others. We find that overall males and females differ very little in gene expression, despite having altered behavioral responses to the same odors. Thus diversity in receptor expression can explain differences in odor sensitivity, but does not appear to dictate whether sex pheromones are differentially detected by males or females.
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