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Zou D, Huang S, Tian S, Kilunda FK, Murphy RW, Dahn HA, Zhou Y, Lee PS, Chen JM. Comparative genomics sheds new light on the convergent evolution of infrared vision in snakes. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240818. [PMID: 39043244 PMCID: PMC11265913 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0818] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Infrared vision is a highly specialized sensory system that evolved independently in three clades of snakes. Apparently, convergent evolution occurred in the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) proteins of infrared-sensing snakes. However, this gene can only explain how infrared signals are received, and not the transduction and processing of those signals. We sequenced the genome of Xenopeltis unicolor, a key outgroup species of pythons, and performed a genome-wide analysis of convergence between two clades of infrared-sensing snakes. Our results revealed pervasive molecular adaptation in pathways associated with neural development and other functions, with parallel selection on loci associated with trigeminal nerve structural organization. In addition, we found evidence of convergent amino acid substitutions in a set of genes, including TRPA1 and TRPM2. The analysis also identified convergent accelerated evolution in non-coding elements near 12 genes involved in facial nerve structural organization and optic nerve development. Thus, convergent evolution occurred across multiple dimensions of infrared vision in vipers and pythons, as well as amino acid substitutions, non-coding elements, genes and functions. These changes enabled independent groups of snakes to develop and use infrared vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahu Zou
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region of Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei443002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Song Huang
- The Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Security in the Yangtze River Basin, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shilin Tian
- Novogene Bioinformatics Institute, Beijing100000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Felista Kasyoka Kilunda
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan650223, People’s Republic of China
| | - Robert W. Murphy
- Reptilia Zoo and Education Centre, 2501 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, ONL4K 2N6, Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 2C6, Canada
| | - Hollis A. Dahn
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ONM5S 2C6, Canada
| | - Youbing Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Eco-Environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region of Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei443002, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping-Shin Lee
- The Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Security in the Yangtze River Basin, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui241000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jin-Min Chen
- The Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Security in the Yangtze River Basin, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui241000, People’s Republic of China
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2
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He J, Van Eck J, Lippman ZB. Blooming balloons: Searching for mechanisms of the inflated calyx. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 81:102595. [PMID: 38943829 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2024.102595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Studying morphological novelties offers special insights into developmental biology and evolution. The inflated calyx syndrome (ICS) is a largely unrecognized but fascinating feature of flower development, where sepals form balloon-like husks that encapsulate fruits. Despite its independent emergence in many lineages of flowering plants, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of ICS remain unknown. Early studies in the Solanaceae genus Physalis put forth key roles of MADS-box genes in ICS. However, recent work suggests these classical floral identity transcription factors were false leads. With newfound capabilities that allow rapid development of genetic systems through genomics and genome editing, Physalis has re-emerged as the most tractable model species for dissecting ICS. This review revisits current understanding of ICS and highlights how recent advancements enable a reset in the search for genetic and molecular mechanisms using unbiased, systematic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia He
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Joyce Van Eck
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Zachary B Lippman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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3
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Steinwand S, Stacher Hörndli C, Ferris E, Emery J, Gonzalez Murcia JD, Cristina Rodriguez A, Leydsman TC, Chaix A, Thomas A, Davey C, Gregg C. Conserved Noncoding Cis-Elements Associated with Hibernation Modulate Metabolic and Behavioral Adaptations in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.26.600851. [PMID: 38979203 PMCID: PMC11230392 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.26.600851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Our study elucidates functional roles for conserved cis-elements associated with the evolution of mammalian hibernation. Genomic analyses found topologically associated domains (TADs) that disproportionately accumulated convergent genomic changes in hibernators, including the TAD for the Fat Mass & Obesity (Fto) locus. Some hibernation-linked cis-elements in this TAD form regulatory contacts with multiple neighboring genes. Knockout mice for these cis-elements exhibit Fto, Irx3, and Irx5 gene expression changes, impacting hundreds of genes downstream. Profiles of pre-torpor, torpor, and post-torpor phenotypes found distinct roles for each cis-element in metabolic control, while a high caloric diet uncovered different obesogenic effects. One cis-element promoting a lean phenotype influences foraging behaviors throughout life, affecting specific behavioral sequences. Thus, convergent evolution in hibernators pinpoints functional genetic mechanisms of mammalian metabolic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Steinwand
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | | | - Elliott Ferris
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | - Jared Emery
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | | | | | - Tyler C Leydsman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | - Amandine Chaix
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | - Alun Thomas
- Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
- Study Design and Biostatistics Center, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | - Crystal Davey
- Mutation Generation & Detection Core Facility, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
| | - Christopher Gregg
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah; Salt Lake City, 84105, USA
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4
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Drabeck DH, Wiese J, Gilbertson E, Arroyave J, Stiassny MLJ, Alter SE, Borowsky R, Hendrickson DA, Arcila D, McGaugh SE. Gene loss and relaxed selection of plaat1 in vertebrates adapted to low-light environments. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232847. [PMID: 38864338 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Gene loss is an important mechanism for evolution in low-light or cave environments where visual adaptations often involve a reduction or loss of eyesight. The plaat gene family encodes phospholipases essential for the degradation of organelles in the lens of the eye. These phospholipases translocate to damaged organelle membranes, inducing them to rupture. This rupture is required for lens transparency and is essential for developing a functioning eye. Plaat3 is thought to be responsible for this role in mammals, while plaat1 is thought to be responsible in other vertebrates. We used a macroevolutionary approach and comparative genomics to examine the origin, loss, synteny and selection of plaat1 across bony fishes and tetrapods. We showed that plaat1 (probably ancestral to all bony fish + tetrapods) has been lost in squamates and is significantly degraded in lineages of low-visual-acuity and blind mammals and fishes. Our findings suggest that plaat1 is important for visual acuity across bony vertebrates, and that its loss through relaxed selection and pseudogenization may have played a role in the repeated evolution of visual systems in low-light environments. Our study sheds light on the importance of gene-loss in trait evolution and provides insights into the mechanisms underlying visual acuity in low-light environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle H Drabeck
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1475 Gortner Ave, St, Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Jonathan Wiese
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1475 Gortner Ave, St, Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Erin Gilbertson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of San Francisco, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jairo Arroyave
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, México
| | - Melanie L J Stiassny
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - S Elizabeth Alter
- Biology and Chemistry Department, California State University Monterey Bay, Chapman Academic Science Center, Seaside, CA, USA
| | - Richard Borowsky
- Department of Biology, New York University, Washington Square, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Dean A Hendrickson
- Biodiversity Center, Texas Natural History Collections, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78758, USA
| | - Dahiana Arcila
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Suzanne E McGaugh
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1475 Gortner Ave, St, Paul, MN 55108, USA
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5
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Dong Z, Wang C, Qu Q. WGCCRR: a web-based tool for genome-wide screening of convergent indels and substitutions of amino acids. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2024; 4:vbae070. [PMID: 38808070 PMCID: PMC11132816 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbae070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Summary Genome-wide analyses of proteincoding gene sequences are being employed to examine the genetic basis of adaptive evolution in many organismal groups. Previous studies have revealed that convergent/parallel adaptive evolution may be caused by convergent/parallel amino acid changes. Similarly, detailed analysis of lineage-specific amino acid changes has shown correlations with certain lineage-specific traits. However, experimental validation remains the ultimate measure of causality. With the increasing availability of genomic data, a streamlined tool for such analyses would facilitate and expedite the screening of genetic loci that hold potential for adaptive evolution, while alleviating the bioinformatic burden for experimental biologists. In this study, we present a user-friendly web-based tool called WGCCRR (Whole Genome Comparative Coding Region Read) designed to screen both convergent/parallel and lineage-specific amino acid changes on a genome-wide scale. Our tool allows users to replicate previous analyses with just a few clicks, and the exported results are straightforward to interpret. In addition, we have also included amino acid indels that are usually neglected in previous work. Our website provides an efficient platform for screening candidate loci for downstream experimental tests. Availability and Implementation The tool is available at: https://fishevo.xmu.edu.cn/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xià-Mén, Fú-Jiàn 361102, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xià-Mén, Fú-Jiàn 361102, China
| | - Qingming Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xià-Mén, Fú-Jiàn 361102, China
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Title PO, Singhal S, Grundler MC, Costa GC, Pyron RA, Colston TJ, Grundler MR, Prates I, Stepanova N, Jones MEH, Cavalcanti LBQ, Colli GR, Di-Poï N, Donnellan SC, Moritz C, Mesquita DO, Pianka ER, Smith SA, Vitt LJ, Rabosky DL. The macroevolutionary singularity of snakes. Science 2024; 383:918-923. [PMID: 38386744 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh2449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Snakes and lizards (Squamata) represent a third of terrestrial vertebrates and exhibit spectacular innovations in locomotion, feeding, and sensory processing. However, the evolutionary drivers of this radiation remain poorly known. We infer potential causes and ultimate consequences of squamate macroevolution by combining individual-based natural history observations (>60,000 animals) with a comprehensive time-calibrated phylogeny that we anchored with genomic data (5400 loci) from 1018 species. Due to shifts in the dynamics of speciation and phenotypic evolution, snakes have transformed the trophic structure of animal communities through the recurrent origin and diversification of specialized predatory strategies. Squamate biodiversity reflects a legacy of singular events that occurred during the early history of snakes and reveals the impact of historical contingency on vertebrate biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal O Title
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Environmental Resilience Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sonal Singhal
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biology, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA 90747, USA
| | - Michael C Grundler
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gabriel C Costa
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL 36117, USA
| | - R Alexander Pyron
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20560, USA
| | - Timothy J Colston
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, 20560, USA
- Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez 00680, Puerto Rico
| | - Maggie R Grundler
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ivan Prates
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Natasha Stepanova
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Marc E H Jones
- Science Group: Fossil Reptiles, Amphibians and Birds Section, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Lucas B Q Cavalcanti
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Guarino R Colli
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Nicolas Di-Poï
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Craig Moritz
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Daniel O Mesquita
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Eric R Pianka
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Stephen A Smith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Laurie J Vitt
- Sam Noble Museum and Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Daniel L Rabosky
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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7
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Gable SM, Bushroe N, Mendez J, Wilson A, Pinto B, Gamble T, Tollis M. Differential Conservation and Loss of CR1 Retrotransposons in Squamates Reveals Lineage-Specific Genome Dynamics across Reptiles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.09.579686. [PMID: 38405926 PMCID: PMC10888918 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.09.579686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are repetitive DNA sequences which create mutations and generate genetic diversity across the tree of life. In amniotic vertebrates, TEs have been mainly studied in mammals and birds, whose genomes generally display low TE diversity. Squamates (Order Squamata; ~11,000 extant species of lizards and snakes) show as much variation in TE abundance and activity as they do in species and phenotypes. Despite this high TE activity, squamate genomes are remarkably uniform in size. We hypothesize that novel, lineage-specific dynamics have evolved over the course of squamate evolution to constrain genome size across the order. Thus, squamates may represent a prime model for investigations into TE diversity and evolution. To understand the interplay between TEs and host genomes, we analyzed the evolutionary history of the CR1 retrotransposon, a TE family found in most tetrapod genomes. We compared 113 squamate genomes to the genomes of turtles, crocodilians, and birds, and used ancestral state reconstruction to identify shifts in the rate of CR1 copy number evolution across reptiles. We analyzed the repeat landscapes of CR1 in squamate genomes and determined that shifts in the rate of CR1 copy number evolution are associated with lineage-specific variation in CR1 activity. We then used phylogenetic reconstruction of CR1 subfamilies across amniotes to reveal both recent and ancient CR1 subclades across the squamate tree of life. The patterns of CR1 evolution in squamates contrast other amniotes, suggesting key differences in how TEs interact with different host genomes and at different points across evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M. Gable
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Nicholas Bushroe
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Jasmine Mendez
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Adam Wilson
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Brendan Pinto
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Tony Gamble
- Department of Zoology, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Marc Tollis
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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8
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Drabeck DH, Wiese J, Gilbertson E, Arroyave J, Arcila D, Alter SE, Borowsky R, Hendrickson D, Stiassny M, McGaugh SE. Gene loss and relaxed selection of plaat1 in vertebrates adapted to low-light environments. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571336. [PMID: 38168154 PMCID: PMC10760033 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Gene loss is an important mechanism for evolution in low-light or cave environments where visual adaptations often involve a reduction or loss of eyesight. The plaat gene family are phospholipases essential for the degradation of organelles in the lens of the eye. They translocate to damaged organelle membranes, inducing them to rupture. This rupture is required for lens transparency and is essential for developing a functioning eye. Plaat3 is thought to be responsible for this role in mammals, while plaat1 is thought to be responsible in other vertebrates. We used a macroevolutionary approach and comparative genomics to examine the origin, loss, synteny, and selection of plaat1 across bony fishes and tetrapods. We show that plaat1 (likely ancestral to all bony fish + tetrapods) has been lost in squamates and is significantly degraded in lineages of low-visual acuity and blind mammals and fish. Our findings suggest that plaat1 is important for visual acuity across bony vertebrates, and that its loss through relaxed selection and pseudogenization may have played a role in the repeated evolution of visual systems in low-light-environments. Our study sheds light on the importance of gene-loss in trait evolution and provides insights into the mechanisms underlying visual acuity in low-light environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle H Drabeck
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1475 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108
| | - Jonathan Wiese
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1475 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108
| | - Erin Gilbertson
- University of San Francisco, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jairo Arroyave
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, México
| | - Dahiana Arcila
- Marine Vertebrate Collection, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093, USA
| | - S Elizabeth Alter
- California State University Monterey Bay, Biology and Chemistry Department, Chapman Academic Science Center, Seaside, CA
| | - Richard Borowsky
- Department of Biology, New York University, Washington Square, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Dean Hendrickson
- Biodiversity Center, Texas Natural History Collections, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78758, United States
| | - Melanie Stiassny
- Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA
| | - Suzanne E McGaugh
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 1475 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108
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9
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Eliason CM, Mellenthin LE, Hains T, McCullough JM, Pirro S, Andersen MJ, Hackett SJ. Genomic signatures of convergent shifts to plunge-diving behavior in birds. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1011. [PMID: 37875535 PMCID: PMC10598022 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05359-z] [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: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of convergence at broad phylogenetic scales remains a key challenge in biology. Kingfishers (Aves: Alcedinidae) are a cosmopolitan avian radiation with diverse colors, diets, and feeding behaviors-including the archetypal plunge-dive into water. Given the sensory and locomotor challenges associated with air-water transitions, kingfishers offer a powerful opportunity to explore the effects of convergent behaviors on the evolution of genomes and phenotypes, as well as direct comparisons between continental and island lineages. Here, we use whole-genome sequencing of 30 diverse kingfisher species to identify the genomic signatures associated with convergent feeding behaviors. We show that species with smaller ranges (i.e., on islands) have experienced stronger demographic fluctuations than those on continents, and that these differences have influenced the dynamics of molecular evolution. Comparative genomic analyses reveal positive selection and genomic convergence in brain and dietary genes in plunge-divers. These findings enhance our understanding of the connections between genotype and phenotype in a diverse avian radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad M Eliason
- Grainger Bioinformatics Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Lauren E Mellenthin
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Taylor Hains
- Grainger Bioinformatics Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA
- Committee on Evolution Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jenna M McCullough
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Stacy Pirro
- Iridian Genomes, Inc., 6213 Swords Way, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Andersen
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Shannon J Hackett
- Committee on Evolution Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, The Field Museum, Chicago, IL, USA
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10
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Wang Z, Peng C, Wu W, Yan C, Lv Y, Li JT. Developmental regulation of conserved non-coding element evolution provides insights into limb loss in squamates. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2399-2414. [PMID: 37256419 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2362-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Limb loss shows recurrent phenotypic evolution across squamate lineages. Here, based on three de novo-assembled genomes of limbless lizards from different lineages, we showed that divergence of conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) played an important role in limb development. These CNEs were associated with genes required for limb initiation and outgrowth, and with regulatory signals in the early stage of limb development. Importantly, we identified the extensive existence of insertions and deletions (InDels) in the CNEs, with the numbers ranging from 111 to 756. Most of these CNEs with InDels were lineage-specific in the limbless squamates. Nearby genes of these InDel CNEs were important to early limb formation, such as Tbx4, Fgf10, and Gli3. Based on functional experiments, we found that nucleotide mutations and InDels both affected the regulatory function of the CNEs. Our study provides molecular evidence underlying limb loss in squamate reptiles from a developmental perspective and sheds light on the importance of regulatory element InDels in phenotypic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & h Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Changjun Peng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & h Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wei Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & h Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chaochao Yan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & h Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yunyun Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & h Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China
- College of Life Science, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang, 641100, China
| | - Jia-Tang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & h Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar.
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11
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Chen HI, Turakhia Y, Bejerano G, Kingsley DM. Whole-genome Comparisons Identify Repeated Regulatory Changes Underlying Convergent Appendage Evolution in Diverse Fish Lineages. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad188. [PMID: 37739926 PMCID: PMC10516590 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad188] [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] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fins are major functional appendages of fish that have been repeatedly modified in different lineages. To search for genomic changes underlying natural fin diversity, we compared the genomes of 36 percomorph fish species that span over 100 million years of evolution and either have complete or reduced pelvic and caudal fins. We identify 1,614 genomic regions that are well-conserved in fin-complete species but missing from multiple fin-reduced lineages. Recurrent deletions of conserved sequences in wild fin-reduced species are enriched for functions related to appendage development, suggesting that convergent fin reduction at the organismal level is associated with repeated genomic deletions near fin-appendage development genes. We used sequencing and functional enhancer assays to confirm that PelA, a Pitx1 enhancer previously linked to recurrent pelvic loss in sticklebacks, has also been independently deleted and may have contributed to the fin morphology in distantly related pelvic-reduced species. We also identify a novel enhancer that is conserved in the majority of percomorphs, drives caudal fin expression in transgenic stickleback, is missing in tetraodontiform, syngnathid, and synbranchid species with caudal fin reduction, and alters caudal fin development when targeted by genome editing. Our study illustrates a broadly applicable strategy for mapping phenotypes to genotypes across a tree of vertebrate species and highlights notable new examples of regulatory genomic hotspots that have been used to evolve recurrent phenotypes across 100 million years of fish evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi I Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yatish Turakhia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Gill Bejerano
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University School of Engineering, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David M Kingsley
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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12
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Kun E, Javan EM, Smith O, Gulamali F, de la Fuente J, Flynn BI, Vajrala K, Trutner Z, Jayakumar P, Tucker-Drob EM, Sohail M, Singh T, Narasimhan VM. The genetic architecture and evolution of the human skeletal form. Science 2023; 381:eadf8009. [PMID: 37471560 PMCID: PMC11075689 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf8009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The human skeletal form underlies bipedalism, but the genetic basis of skeletal proportions (SPs) is not well characterized. We applied deep-learning models to 31,221 x-rays from the UK Biobank to extract a comprehensive set of SPs, which were associated with 145 independent loci genome-wide. Structural equation modeling suggested that limb proportions exhibited strong genetic sharing but were independent of width and torso proportions. Polygenic score analysis identified specific associations between osteoarthritis and hip and knee SPs. In contrast to other traits, SP loci were enriched in human accelerated regions and in regulatory elements of genes that are differentially expressed between humans and great apes. Combined, our work identifies specific genetic variants that affect the skeletal form and ties a major evolutionary facet of human anatomical change to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eucharist Kun
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Emily M. Javan
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Olivia Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Faris Gulamali
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Javier de la Fuente
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Brianna I. Flynn
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kushal Vajrala
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Zoe Trutner
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Prakash Jayakumar
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Mashaal Sohail
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas (CCG), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), 62209 Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Tarjinder Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute at Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vagheesh M. Narasimhan
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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13
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Pereira AG, Kohlsdorf T. Repeated evolution of similar phenotypes: Integrating comparative methods with developmental pathways. Genet Mol Biol 2023; 46:e20220384. [PMID: 37486083 PMCID: PMC10364090 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2022-0384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Repeated phenotypes, often referred to as 'homoplasies' in cladistic analyses, may evolve through changes in developmental processes. Genetic bases of recurrent evolution gained attention and have been studied in the past years using approaches that combine modern analytical phylogenetic tools with the stunning assemblage of new information on developmental mechanisms. In this review, we evaluated the topic under an integrated perspective, revisiting the classical definitions of convergence and parallelism and detailing comparative methods used to evaluate evolution of repeated phenotypes, which include phylogenetic inference, estimates of evolutionary rates and reconstruction of ancestral states. We provide examples to illustrate how a given methodological approach can be used to identify evolutionary patterns and evaluate developmental mechanisms associated with the intermittent expression of a given trait along the phylogeny. Finally, we address why repeated trait loss challenges strict definitions of convergence and parallelism, discussing how changes in developmental pathways might explain the high frequency of repeated trait loss in specific lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anieli Guirro Pereira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), Departamento de Biologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tiana Kohlsdorf
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP), Departamento de Biologia, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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14
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Gable SM, Mendez JM, Bushroe NA, Wilson A, Byars MI, Tollis M. The State of Squamate Genomics: Past, Present, and Future of Genome Research in the Most Speciose Terrestrial Vertebrate Order. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1387. [PMID: 37510292 PMCID: PMC10379679 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamates include more than 11,000 extant species of lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians, and display a dazzling diversity of phenotypes across their over 200-million-year evolutionary history on Earth. Here, we introduce and define squamates (Order Squamata) and review the history and promise of genomic investigations into the patterns and processes governing squamate evolution, given recent technological advances in DNA sequencing, genome assembly, and evolutionary analysis. We survey the most recently available whole genome assemblies for squamates, including the taxonomic distribution of available squamate genomes, and assess their quality metrics and usefulness for research. We then focus on disagreements in squamate phylogenetic inference, how methods of high-throughput phylogenomics affect these inferences, and demonstrate the promise of whole genomes to settle or sustain persistent phylogenetic arguments for squamates. We review the role transposable elements play in vertebrate evolution, methods of transposable element annotation and analysis, and further demonstrate that through the understanding of the diversity, abundance, and activity of transposable elements in squamate genomes, squamates can be an ideal model for the evolution of genome size and structure in vertebrates. We discuss how squamate genomes can contribute to other areas of biological research such as venom systems, studies of phenotypic evolution, and sex determination. Because they represent more than 30% of the living species of amniote, squamates deserve a genome consortium on par with recent efforts for other amniotes (i.e., mammals and birds) that aim to sequence most of the extant families in a clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone M Gable
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Jasmine M Mendez
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Nicholas A Bushroe
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Adam Wilson
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Michael I Byars
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Marc Tollis
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
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15
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Kirilenko BM, Munegowda C, Osipova E, Jebb D, Sharma V, Blumer M, Morales AE, Ahmed AW, Kontopoulos DG, Hilgers L, Lindblad-Toh K, Karlsson EK, Hiller M, Andrews G, Armstrong JC, Bianchi M, Birren BW, Bredemeyer KR, Breit AM, Christmas MJ, Clawson H, Damas J, Di Palma F, Diekhans M, Dong MX, Eizirik E, Fan K, Fanter C, Foley NM, Forsberg-Nilsson K, Garcia CJ, Gatesy J, Gazal S, Genereux DP, Goodman L, Grimshaw J, Halsey MK, Harris AJ, Hickey G, Hiller M, Hindle AG, Hubley RM, Hughes GM, Johnson J, Juan D, Kaplow IM, Karlsson EK, Keough KC, Kirilenko B, Koepfli KP, Korstian JM, Kowalczyk A, Kozyrev SV, Lawler AJ, Lawless C, Lehmann T, Levesque DL, Lewin HA, Li X, Lind A, Lindblad-Toh K, Mackay-Smith A, Marinescu VD, Marques-Bonet T, Mason VC, Meadows JRS, Meyer WK, Moore JE, Moreira LR, Moreno-Santillan DD, Morrill KM, Muntané G, Murphy WJ, Navarro A, Nweeia M, Ortmann S, Osmanski A, Paten B, Paulat NS, Pfenning AR, Phan BN, Pollard KS, Pratt HE, Ray DA, Reilly SK, Rosen JR, Ruf I, Ryan L, Ryder OA, Sabeti PC, Schäffer DE, Serres A, Shapiro B, Smit AFA, Springer M, Srinivasan C, Steiner C, Storer JM, Sullivan KAM, Sullivan PF, Sundström E, Supple MA, Swofford R, Talbot JE, Teeling E, Turner-Maier J, Valenzuela A, Wagner F, Wallerman O, Wang C, Wang J, Weng Z, Wilder AP, Wirthlin ME, Xue JR, Zhang X. Integrating gene annotation with orthology inference at scale. Science 2023; 380:eabn3107. [PMID: 37104600 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn3107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Annotating coding genes and inferring orthologs are two classical challenges in genomics and evolutionary biology that have traditionally been approached separately, limiting scalability. We present TOGA (Tool to infer Orthologs from Genome Alignments), a method that integrates structural gene annotation and orthology inference. TOGA implements a different paradigm to infer orthologous loci, improves ortholog detection and annotation of conserved genes compared with state-of-the-art methods, and handles even highly fragmented assemblies. TOGA scales to hundreds of genomes, which we demonstrate by applying it to 488 placental mammal and 501 bird assemblies, creating the largest comparative gene resources so far. Additionally, TOGA detects gene losses, enables selection screens, and automatically provides a superior measure of mammalian genome quality. TOGA is a powerful and scalable method to annotate and compare genes in the genomic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdan M Kirilenko
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Chetan Munegowda
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Osipova
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - David Jebb
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Virag Sharma
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Moritz Blumer
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ariadna E Morales
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alexis-Walid Ahmed
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dimitrios-Georgios Kontopoulos
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Leon Hilgers
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, 751 32 Uppsala, Sweden
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Michael Hiller
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, 01187 Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Senckenberg Research Institute, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty of Biosciences, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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Chen HI, Turakhia Y, Bejerano G, Kingsley DM. Whole-genome comparisons identify repeated regulatory changes underlying convergent appendage evolution in diverse fish lineages. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526059. [PMID: 36778215 PMCID: PMC9915506 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Fins are major functional appendages of fish that have been repeatedly modified in different lineages. To search for genomic changes underlying natural fin diversity, we compared the genomes of 36 wild fish species that either have complete or reduced pelvic and caudal fins. We identify 1,614 genomic regions that are well-conserved in fin-complete species but missing from multiple fin-reduced lineages. Recurrent deletions of conserved sequences (CONDELs) in wild fin-reduced species are enriched for functions related to appendage development, suggesting that convergent fin reduction at the organismal level is associated with repeated genomic deletions near fin-appendage development genes. We used sequencing and functional enhancer assays to confirm that PelA , a Pitx1 enhancer previously linked to recurrent pelvic loss in sticklebacks, has also been independently deleted and may have contributed to the fin morphology in distantly related pelvic-reduced species. We also identify a novel enhancer that is conserved in the majority of percomorphs, drives caudal fin expression in transgenic stickleback, is missing in tetraodontiform, s yngnathid, and synbranchid species with caudal fin reduction, and which alters caudal fin development when targeted by genome editing. Our study illustrates a general strategy for mapping phenotypes to genotypes across a tree of vertebrate species, and highlights notable new examples of regulatory genomic hotspots that have been used to evolve recurrent phenotypes during 100 million years of fish evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi I. Chen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Yatish Turakhia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Gill Bejerano
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University School of Engineering, CA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - David M. Kingsley
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, CA
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17
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Genome Evolution and the Future of Phylogenomics of Non-Avian Reptiles. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030471. [PMID: 36766360 PMCID: PMC9913427 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-avian reptiles comprise a large proportion of amniote vertebrate diversity, with squamate reptiles-lizards and snakes-recently overtaking birds as the most species-rich tetrapod radiation. Despite displaying an extraordinary diversity of phenotypic and genomic traits, genomic resources in non-avian reptiles have accumulated more slowly than they have in mammals and birds, the remaining amniotes. Here we review the remarkable natural history of non-avian reptiles, with a focus on the physical traits, genomic characteristics, and sequence compositional patterns that comprise key axes of variation across amniotes. We argue that the high evolutionary diversity of non-avian reptiles can fuel a new generation of whole-genome phylogenomic analyses. A survey of phylogenetic investigations in non-avian reptiles shows that sequence capture-based approaches are the most commonly used, with studies of markers known as ultraconserved elements (UCEs) especially well represented. However, many other types of markers exist and are increasingly being mined from genome assemblies in silico, including some with greater information potential than UCEs for certain investigations. We discuss the importance of high-quality genomic resources and methods for bioinformatically extracting a range of marker sets from genome assemblies. Finally, we encourage herpetologists working in genomics, genetics, evolutionary biology, and other fields to work collectively towards building genomic resources for non-avian reptiles, especially squamates, that rival those already in place for mammals and birds. Overall, the development of this cross-amniote phylogenomic tree of life will contribute to illuminate interesting dimensions of biodiversity across non-avian reptiles and broader amniotes.
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18
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Kun E, Javan EM, Smith O, Gulamali F, de la Fuente J, Flynn BI, Vajrala K, Trutner Z, Jayakumar P, Tucker-Drob EM, Sohail M, Singh T, Narasimhan VM. The genetic architecture of the human skeletal form. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.521284. [PMID: 36712136 PMCID: PMC9881884 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.521284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The human skeletal form underlies our ability to walk on two legs, but unlike standing height, the genetic basis of limb lengths and skeletal proportions is less well understood. Here we applied a deep learning model to 31,221 whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images from the UK Biobank (UKB) to extract 23 different image-derived phenotypes (IDPs) that include all long bone lengths as well as hip and shoulder width, which we analyzed while controlling for height. All skeletal proportions are highly heritable (∼40-50%), and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of these traits identified 179 independent loci, of which 102 loci were not associated with height. These loci are enriched in genes regulating skeletal development as well as associated with rare human skeletal diseases and abnormal mouse skeletal phenotypes. Genetic correlation and genomic structural equation modeling indicated that limb proportions exhibited strong genetic sharing but were genetically independent of width and torso proportions. Phenotypic and polygenic risk score analyses identified specific associations between osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee, the leading causes of adult disability in the United States, and skeletal proportions of the corresponding regions. We also found genomic evidence of evolutionary change in arm-to-leg and hip-width proportions in humans consistent with striking anatomical changes in these skeletal proportions in the hominin fossil record. In contrast to cardiovascular, auto-immune, metabolic, and other categories of traits, loci associated with these skeletal proportions are significantly enriched in human accelerated regions (HARs), and regulatory elements of genes differentially expressed through development between humans and the great apes. Taken together, our work validates the use of deep learning models on DXA images to identify novel and specific genetic variants affecting the human skeletal form and ties a major evolutionary facet of human anatomical change to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eucharist Kun
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Emily M Javan
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Olivia Smith
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | | | | | - Brianna I Flynn
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Kushal Vajrala
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Zoe Trutner
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Prakash Jayakumar
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, The University of Texas at Austin
| | | | - Mashaal Sohail
- Centro de Ciencias Genómicas (CCG), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
| | - Tarjinder Singh
- The Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- The New York Genome Center
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute at Columbia University
| | - Vagheesh M Narasimhan
- Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, The University of Texas at Austin
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19
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Xu MM, Gu LH, Lv WY, Duan SC, Li LW, Du Y, Lu LZ, Zeng T, Hou ZC, Ma ZS, Chen W, Adeola AC, Han JL, Xu TS, Dong Y, Zhang YP, Peng MS. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the Muscovy duck provides insight into fatty liver susceptibility. Genomics 2022; 114:110518. [PMID: 36347326 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is an economically important poultry species, which is susceptible to fatty liver. Thus, the Muscovy duck may serve as an excellent candidate animal model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the mechanisms underlying fatty liver development in this species are poorly understood. In this study, we report a chromosome-level genome assembly of the Muscovy duck, with a contig N50 of 11.8 Mb and scaffold N50 of 83.16 Mb. The susceptibility of Muscovy duck to fatty liver was mainly attributed to weak lipid catabolism capabilities (fatty acid β-oxidation and lipolysis). Furthermore, conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) showing accelerated evolution contributed to fatty liver formation by down-regulating the expression of genes involved in hepatic lipid catabolism. We propose that the susceptibility of Muscovy duck to fatty liver is an evolutionary by-product. In conclusion, this study revealed the potential mechanisms underlying the susceptibility of Muscovy duck to fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Min Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China
| | - Li-Hong Gu
- Institute of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571100, China
| | - Wan-Yue Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | | | - Lian-Wei Li
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China; Computational Biology and Medical Ecology Lab, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yuan Du
- Nowbio Biotechnology Company, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Li-Zhi Lu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Tao Zeng
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Zhuo-Cheng Hou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, MARA; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhanshan Sam Ma
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China; Computational Biology and Medical Ecology Lab, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Key Laboratory for Agro-Biodiversity and Pest Control of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Adeniyi C Adeola
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Jian-Lin Han
- CAAS-ILRI Joint Laboratory on Livestock and Forage Genetic Resources, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Beijing 100193, China; Livestock Genetics Program, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Tie-Shan Xu
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China.
| | - Yang Dong
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; Key Laboratory for Agro-Biodiversity and Pest Control of Ministry of Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Min-Sheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650204, China; KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
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Swank S, Elazegui E, Janidlo S, Sanger TJ, Bell MA, Stuart YE. Attempting genetic inference from directional asymmetry during convergent hindlimb reduction in squamates. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9088. [PMID: 35845359 PMCID: PMC9280442 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss and reduction in paired appendages are common in vertebrate evolution. How often does such convergent evolution depend on similar developmental and genetic pathways? For example, many populations of the threespine stickleback and ninespine stickleback (Gasterosteidae) have independently evolved pelvic reduction, usually based on independent mutations that caused reduced Pitx1 expression. Reduced Pitx1 expression has also been implicated in pelvic reduction in manatees. Thus, hindlimb reduction stemming from reduced Pitx1 expression has arisen independently in groups that diverged tens to hundreds of millions of years ago, suggesting a potential for repeated use of Pitx1 across vertebrates. Notably, hindlimb reduction based on the reduction in Pitx1 expression produces left-larger directional asymmetry in the vestiges. We used this phenotypic signature as a genetic proxy, testing for hindlimb directional asymmetry in six genera of squamate reptiles that independently evolved hindlimb reduction and for which genetic and developmental tools are not yet developed: Agamodon anguliceps, Bachia intermedia, Chalcides sepsoides, Indotyphlops braminus, Ophisaurus attenuatuas and O. ventralis, and Teius teyou. Significant asymmetry occurred in one taxon, Chalcides sepsoides, whose left-side pelvis and femur vestiges were 18% and 64% larger than right-side vestiges, respectively, suggesting modification in Pitx1 expression in that species. However, there was either right-larger asymmetry or no directional asymmetry in the other five taxa, suggesting multiple developmental genetic pathways to hindlimb reduction in squamates and the vertebrates more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Swank
- Department of Biology Loyola University Chicago Chicago Illinois USA.,Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology University of Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Ethan Elazegui
- Department of Biology Loyola University Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Sophia Janidlo
- Department of Biology Loyola University Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Thomas J Sanger
- Department of Biology Loyola University Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
| | - Michael A Bell
- UC Museum of Paleontology University of California Berkeley California USA
| | - Yoel E Stuart
- Department of Biology Loyola University Chicago Chicago Illinois USA
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