1
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Azevedo L, Amaro AP, Niza-Ribeiro J, Lopes-Marques M. Naturally occurring genetic diseases caused by de novo variants in domestic animals. Anim Genet 2024; 55:319-327. [PMID: 38323510 DOI: 10.1111/age.13403] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
With the advent of next-generation sequencing, an increasing number of cases of de novo variants in domestic animals have been reported in scientific literature primarily associated with clinically severe phenotypes. The emergence of new variants at each generation is a crucial aspect in understanding the pathology of early-onset diseases in animals and can provide valuable insights into similar diseases in humans. With the aim of collecting deleterious de novo variants in domestic animals, we searched the scientific literature and compiled reports on 42 de novo variants in 31 genes in domestic animals. No clear disease-associated phenotype has been established in humans for three of these genes (NUMB, ANKRD28 and KCNG1). For the remaining 28 genes, a strong similarity between animal and human phenotypes was recognized from available information in OMIM and OMIA, revealing the importance of comparative studies and supporting the use of domestic animals as natural models for human diseases, in line with the One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luísa Azevedo
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andreia P Amaro
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Niza-Ribeiro
- ITR - Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal
- Population Studies Department, ICBAS - School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- EPIUnit-Epidemiology Research Unit, ISPUP-Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Lopes-Marques
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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2
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Gene duplications and gene loss in the epidermal differentiation complex during the evolutionary land-to-water transition of cetaceans. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12334. [PMID: 34112911 PMCID: PMC8192740 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91863-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Major protein components of the mammalian skin barrier are encoded by genes clustered in the Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC). The skin of cetaceans, i.e. whales, porpoises and dolphins, differs histologically from that of terrestrial mammals. However, the genetic regulation of their epidermal barrier is only incompletely known. Here, we investigated the EDC of cetaceans by comparative genomics. We found that important epidermal cornification proteins, such as loricrin and involucrin are conserved and subtypes of small proline-rich proteins (SPRRs) are even expanded in numbers in cetaceans. By contrast, keratinocyte proline rich protein (KPRP), skin-specific protein 32 (XP32) and late-cornified envelope (LCE) genes with the notable exception of LCE7A have been lost in cetaceans. Genes encoding proline rich 9 (PRR9) and late cornified envelope like proline rich 1 (LELP1) have degenerated in subgroups of cetaceans. These data suggest that the evolution of an aquatic lifestyle was accompanied by amplification of SPRR genes and loss of specific other epidermal differentiation genes in the phylogenetic lineage leading to cetaceans.
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3
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Convergent Cortistatin losses parallel modifications in circadian rhythmicity and energy homeostasis in Cetacea and other mammalian lineages. Genomics 2020; 113:1064-1070. [PMID: 33157262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ancestors of Cetacea underwent profound morpho-physiological alterations. By displaying an exclusive aquatic existence, cetaceans evolved unique patterns of locomotor activity, vigilant behaviour, thermoregulation and circadian rhythmicity. Deciphering the molecular landscape governing many of these adaptations is key to understand the evolution of phenotypes. Here, we investigate Cortistatin (CORT), a neuropeptide displaying an important role in mammalian biorhythm regulation. This neuropeptide is a known neuroendocrine factor, stimulating slow-wave sleep, but also involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and hypomotility inducement. We assessed the functional status of CORT in 359 mammalian genomes (25 orders), including 30 species of Cetacea. Our findings indicate that cetaceans and other mammals with atypical biorhythms, thermal constraints and/or energy metabolism, have accumulated deleterious mutations in CORT. In light of the pleiotropic action of this neuropeptide, we suggest that this inactivation contributed to a plethora of phenotypic adjustments to accommodate adaptive solutions to specific ecological niches.
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4
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Lopes-Marques M, Serrano C, Cardoso AR, Salazar R, Seixas S, Amorim A, Azevedo L, Prata MJ. GBA3: a polymorphic pseudogene in humans that experienced repeated gene loss during mammalian evolution. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11565. [PMID: 32665690 PMCID: PMC7360587 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68106-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene encoding the cytosolic β-glucosidase GBA3 shows pseudogenization due to a truncated allele (rs358231) that is polymorphic in humans. Since this enzyme is involved in the transformation of many plant β-glycosides, this particular case of gene loss may have been influenced by dietary adaptations during evolution. In humans, apart from the inactivating allele, we found that GBA3 accumulated additional damaging mutations, implying an extensive GBA3 loss. The allelic distribution of loss-of-function alleles revealed significant differences between human populations which can be partially related with their staple diet. The analysis of mammalian orthologs disclosed that GBA3 underwent at least nine pseudogenization events. Most events of pseudogenization occurred in carnivorous lineages, suggesting a possible link to a β-glycoside poor diet. However, GBA3 was also lost in omnivorous and herbivorous species, hinting that the physiological role of GBA3 is not fully understood and other unknown causes may underlie GBA3 pseudogenization. Such possibility relies upon a putative role in sialic acid biology, where GBA3 participates in a cellular network involving NEU2 and CMAH. Overall, our data shows that the recurrent loss of GBA3 in mammals is likely to represent an evolutionary endpoint of the relaxation of selective constraints triggered by diet-related factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Lopes-Marques
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Serrano
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R. Cardoso
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Renato Salazar
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Seixas
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - António Amorim
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luisa Azevedo
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J. Prata
- i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Population Genetics and Evolution Group, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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5
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Alves LQ, Ruivo R, Fonseca MM, Lopes-Marques M, Ribeiro P, Castro L. PseudoChecker: an integrated online platform for gene inactivation inference. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:W321-W331. [PMID: 32449938 PMCID: PMC7319564 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid expansion of high-quality genome assemblies, exemplified by ongoing initiatives such as the Genome-10K and i5k, demands novel automated methods to approach comparative genomics. Of these, the study of inactivating mutations in the coding region of genes, or pseudogenization, as a source of evolutionary novelty is mostly overlooked. Thus, to address such evolutionary/genomic events, a systematic, accurate and computationally automated approach is required. Here, we present PseudoChecker, the first integrated online platform for gene inactivation inference. Unlike the few existing methods, our comparative genomics-based approach displays full automation, a built-in graphical user interface and a novel index, PseudoIndex, for an empirical evaluation of the gene coding status. As a multi-platform online service, PseudoChecker simplifies access and usability, allowing a fast identification of disruptive mutations. An analysis of 30 genes previously reported to be eroded in mammals, and 30 viable genes from the same lineages, demonstrated that PseudoChecker was able to correctly infer 97% of loss events and 95% of functional genes, confirming its reliability. PseudoChecker is freely available, without login required, at http://pseudochecker.ciimar.up.pt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Q Alves
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Matosinhos, 4450-208, Portugal
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Matosinhos, 4450-208, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Fonseca
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Matosinhos, 4450-208, Portugal
| | - Mónica Lopes-Marques
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Matosinhos, 4450-208, Portugal
| | - Pedro Ribeiro
- CRACS & INESC-TEC Department of Computer Science, FCUP, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Matosinhos, 4450-208, Portugal
- Department of Biology, FCUP, Porto, 4169-007, Portugal
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6
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Magnadóttir B, Uysal-Onganer P, Kraev I, Svansson V, Hayes P, Lange S. Deiminated proteins and extracellular vesicles - Novel serum biomarkers in whales and orca. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 34:100676. [PMID: 32114311 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a family of phylogenetically conserved calcium-dependent enzymes which cause post-translational protein deimination. This can result in neoepitope generation, affect gene regulation and allow for protein moonlighting via functional and structural changes in target proteins. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry cargo proteins and genetic material and are released from cells as part of cellular communication. EVs are found in most body fluids where they can be useful biomarkers for assessment of health status. Here, serum-derived EVs were profiled, and post-translationally deiminated proteins and EV-related microRNAs are described in 5 ceataceans: minke whale, fin whale, humpback whale, Cuvier's beaked whale and orca. EV-serum profiles were assessed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. EV profiles varied between the 5 species and were identified to contain deiminated proteins and selected key inflammatory and metabolic microRNAs. A range of proteins, critical for immune responses and metabolism were identified to be deiminated in cetacean sera, with some shared KEGG pathways of deiminated proteins relating to immunity and physiology, while some KEGG pathways were species-specific. This is the first study to characterise and profile EVs and to report deiminated proteins and putative effects of protein-protein interaction networks via such post-translationald deimination in cetaceans, revealing key immune and metabolic factors to undergo this post-translational modification. Deiminated proteins and EVs profiles may possibly be developed as new biomarkers for assessing health status of sea mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bergljót Magnadóttir
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v. Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland.
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - Vilhjálmur Svansson
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v. Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Polly Hayes
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
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7
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Alves LQ, Alves J, Ribeiro R, Ruivo R, Castro F. The dopamine receptor D 5 gene shows signs of independent erosion in toothed and baleen whales. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7758. [PMID: 31616587 PMCID: PMC6791347 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To compare gene loci considering a phylogenetic framework is a promising approach to uncover the genetic basis of human diseases. Imbalance of dopaminergic systems is suspected to underlie some emerging neurological disorders. The physiological functions of dopamine are transduced via G-protein-coupled receptors, including DRD5 which displays a relatively higher affinity toward dopamine. Importantly, DRD5 knockout mice are hypertense, a condition emerging from an increase in sympathetic tone. We investigated the evolution of DRD5, a high affinity receptor for dopamine, in mammals. Surprisingly, among 124 investigated mammalian genomes, we found that Cetacea lineages (Mysticeti and Odontoceti) have independently lost this gene, as well as the burrowing Chrysochloris asiatica (Cape golden mole). We suggest that DRD5 inactivation parallels hypoxia-induced adaptations, such as peripheral vasoconstriction required for deep-diving in Cetacea, in accordance with the convergent evolution of vasoconstrictor genes in hypoxia-exposed animals. Our findings indicate that Cetacea are natural knockouts for DRD5 and might offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of some forms of vasoconstriction responses and hypertension in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Q Alves
- CIIMAR-University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal.,FCUP-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Juliana Alves
- CIIMAR-University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal.,FCUP-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Ribeiro
- CIIMAR-University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal.,FCUP-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIIMAR-University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
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8
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Lopes-Marques M, Machado AM, Alves LQ, Fonseca MM, Barbosa S, Sinding MHS, Rasmussen MH, Iversen MR, Frost Bertelsen M, Campos PF, da Fonseca R, Ruivo R, Castro LFC. Complete Inactivation of Sebum-Producing Genes Parallels the Loss of Sebaceous Glands in Cetacea. Mol Biol Evol 2019; 36:1270-1280. [PMID: 30895322 PMCID: PMC6526905 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomes are dynamic biological units, with processes of gene duplication and loss triggering evolutionary novelty. The mammalian skin provides a remarkable case study on the occurrence of adaptive morphological innovations. Skin sebaceous glands (SGs), for instance, emerged in the ancestor of mammals serving pivotal roles, such as lubrication, waterproofing, immunity, and thermoregulation, through the secretion of sebum, a complex mixture of various neutral lipids such as triacylglycerol, free fatty acids, wax esters, cholesterol, and squalene. Remarkably, SGs are absent in a few mammalian lineages, including the iconic Cetacea. We investigated the evolution of the key molecular components responsible for skin sebum production: Dgat2l6, Awat1, Awat2, Elovl3, Mogat3, and Fabp9. We show that all analyzed genes have been rendered nonfunctional in Cetacea species (toothed and baleen whales). Transcriptomic analysis, including a novel skin transcriptome from blue whale, supports gene inactivation. The conserved mutational pattern found in most analyzed genes, indicates that pseudogenization events took place prior to the diversification of modern Cetacea lineages. Genome and skin transcriptome analysis of the common hippopotamus highlighted the convergent loss of a subset of sebum-producing genes, notably Awat1 and Mogat3. Partial loss profiles were also detected in non-Cetacea aquatic mammals, such as the Florida manatee, and in terrestrial mammals displaying specialized skin phenotypes such as the African elephant, white rhinoceros and pig. Our findings reveal a unique landscape of “gene vestiges” in the Cetacea sebum-producing compartment, with limited gene loss observed in other mammalian lineages: suggestive of specific adaptations or specializations of skin lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Lopes-Marques
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - André M Machado
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Q Alves
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Fonseca
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Barbosa
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | - Paula F Campos
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Biology, The Bioinformatics Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rute da Fonseca
- Department of Biology, The Bioinformatics Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Center for Macroecology, Evolution, and Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, U. Porto-University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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9
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Lopes-Marques M, Alves LQ, Fonseca MM, Secci-Petretto G, Machado AM, Ruivo R, Castro LFC. Convergent inactivation of the skin-specific C-C motif chemokine ligand 27 in mammalian evolution. Immunogenetics 2019; 71:363-372. [PMID: 31049641 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01114-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The appearance of mammalian-specific skin features was a key evolutionary event contributing for the elaboration of physiological processes such as thermoregulation, adequate hydration, locomotion, and inflammation. Skin inflammatory and autoimmune processes engage a population of skin-infiltrating T cells expressing a specific C-C chemokine receptor (CCR10) which interacts with an epidermal CC chemokine, the skin-specific C-C motif chemokine ligand 27 (CCL27). CCL27 is selectively produced in the skin by keratinocytes, particularly upon inflammation, mediating the adhesion and homing of skin-infiltrating T cells. Here, we examined the evolution and coding condition of Ccl27 in 112 placental mammalian species. Our findings reveal that a number of open reading frame inactivation events such as insertions, deletions, and start and stop codon mutations independently occurred in Cetacea, Pholidota, Sirenia, Chiroptera, and Rodentia, totalizing 18 species. The diverse habitat settings and lifestyles of Ccl27-eroded lineages probably implied distinct evolutionary triggers rendering this gene unessential. For example, in Cetacea, the rapid renewal of skin layers minimizes the need for an elaborate inflammatory mechanism, mirrored by the absence of epidermal scabs. Our findings suggest that the convergent and independent loss of Ccl27 in mammalian evolution concurred with unique adaptive roads for skin physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luís Q Alves
- CIIMAR-UP, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Fonseca
- CIIMAR-UP, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Giulia Secci-Petretto
- CIIMAR-UP, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - André M Machado
- CIIMAR-UP, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Ruivo
- CIIMAR-UP, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - L Filipe C Castro
- CIIMAR-UP, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal. .,Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Rua do Campo Alegre 1021/1055, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
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10
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The Singularity of Cetacea Behavior Parallels the Complete Inactivation of Melatonin Gene Modules. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020121. [PMID: 30736361 PMCID: PMC6410235 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin, the hormone of darkness, is a peculiar molecule found in most living organisms. Emerging as a potent broad-spectrum antioxidant, melatonin was repurposed into extra roles such as the modulation of circadian and seasonal rhythmicity, affecting numerous aspects of physiology and behaviour, including sleep entrainment and locomotor activity. Interestingly, the pineal gland—the melatonin synthesising organ in vertebrates—was suggested to be absent or rudimentary in some mammalian lineages, including Cetacea. In Cetacea, pineal regression is paralleled by their unique bio-rhythmicity, as illustrated by the unihemispheric sleeping behaviour and long-term vigilance. Here, we examined the genes responsible for melatonin synthesis (Aanat and Asmt) and signalling (Mtnr1a and Mtnr1b) in 12 toothed and baleen whale genomes. Based on an ample genomic comparison, we deduce that melatonin-related gene modules are eroded in Cetacea.
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11
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Sadier A, Davies KT, Yohe LR, Yun K, Donat P, Hedrick BP, Dumont ER, Dávalos LM, Rossiter SJ, Sears KE. Multifactorial processes underlie parallel opsin loss in neotropical bats. eLife 2018; 7:37412. [PMID: 30560780 PMCID: PMC6333445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The loss of previously adaptive traits is typically linked to relaxation in selection, yet the molecular steps leading to such repeated losses are rarely known. Molecular studies of loss have tended to focus on gene sequences alone, but overlooking other aspects of protein expression might underestimate phenotypic diversity. Insights based almost solely on opsin gene evolution, for instance, have made mammalian color vision a textbook example of phenotypic loss. We address this gap by investigating retention and loss of opsin genes, transcripts, and proteins across ecologically diverse noctilionoid bats. We find multiple, independent losses of short-wave-sensitive opsins. Mismatches between putatively functional DNA sequences, mRNA transcripts, and proteins implicate transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes in the ongoing loss of S-opsins in some noctilionoid bats. Our results provide a snapshot of evolution in progress during phenotypic trait loss, and suggest vertebrate visual phenotypes cannot always be predicted from genotypes alone. Bats are famous for using their hearing to explore their environments, yet fewer people are aware that these flying mammals have both good night and daylight vision. Some bats can even see in color thanks to two light-sensitive proteins at the back of their eyes: S-opsin which detects blue and ultraviolet light and L-opsin which detects green and red light. Many species of bat, however, are missing one of these proteins and cannot distinguish any colors; in other words, they are completely color-blind. Some bat species found in Central and South America have independently lost their ability to see blue-ultraviolet light and have thus also lost their color vision. These bats have diverse diets – ranging from insects to fruits and even blood – and being able to distinguish color may offer an advantage in many of their activities, including hunting or foraging. The vision genes in these bats, therefore, give scientists an opportunity to explore how a seemingly important trait can be lost at the molecular level. Sadier, Davies et al. now report that S-opsin has been lost more than a dozen times during the evolutionary history of these Central and South American bats. The analysis used samples from 55 species, including animals caught from the wild and specimens from museums. As with other proteins, the instructions encoded in the gene sequence for S opsin need to be copied into a molecule of RNA before they can be translated into protein. As expected, S-opsin was lost several times because of changes in the gene sequence that disrupted the formation of the protein. However, at several points in these bats’ evolutionary history, additional changes have taken place that affected the production of the RNA or the protein, without an obvious change to the gene itself. This finding suggests that other studies that rely purely on DNA to understand evolution may underestimate how often traits may be lost. By capturing ‘evolution in action’, these results also provide a more complete picture of the molecular targets of evolution in a diverse set of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Sadier
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Kalina Tj Davies
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laurel R Yohe
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, New York, United States.,Geology & Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, United States
| | - Kun Yun
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, United States
| | - Paul Donat
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, New York, United States
| | - Brandon P Hedrick
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, United States
| | - Elizabeth R Dumont
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, United States
| | - Liliana M Dávalos
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, New York, United States.,Consortium for Inter-Disciplinary Environmental Research, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, New York, United States
| | - Stephen J Rossiter
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen E Sears
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
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