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Bond DM, Ortega-Recalde O, Laird MK, Hayakawa T, Richardson KS, Reese FCB, Kyle B, McIsaac-Williams BE, Robertson BC, van Heezik Y, Adams AL, Chang WS, Haase B, Mountcastle J, Driller M, Collins J, Howe K, Go Y, Thibaud-Nissen F, Lister NC, Waters PD, Fedrigo O, Jarvis ED, Gemmell NJ, Alexander A, Hore TA. The admixed brushtail possum genome reveals invasion history in New Zealand and novel imprinted genes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6364. [PMID: 37848431 PMCID: PMC10582058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41784-8] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Combining genome assembly with population and functional genomics can provide valuable insights to development and evolution, as well as tools for species management. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a model marsupial threatened in parts of their native range in Australia, but also a major introduced pest in New Zealand. Functional genomics reveals post-natal activation of chemosensory and metabolic genes, reflecting unique adaptations to altricial birth and delayed weaning, a hallmark of marsupial development. Nuclear and mitochondrial analyses trace New Zealand possums to distinct Australian subspecies, which have subsequently hybridised. This admixture allowed phasing of parental alleles genome-wide, ultimately revealing at least four genes with imprinted, parent-specific expression not yet detected in other species (MLH1, EPM2AIP1, UBP1 and GPX7). We find that reprogramming of possum germline imprints, and the wider epigenome, is similar to eutherian mammals except onset occurs after birth. Together, this work is useful for genetic-based control and conservation of possums, and contributes to understanding of the evolution of novel mammalian epigenetic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna M Bond
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Melanie K Laird
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-0808, Japan
| | - Kyle S Richardson
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Biology Department, University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT, 59725, USA
| | - Finlay C B Reese
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Bruce Kyle
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Amy L Adams
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Wei-Shan Chang
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Bettina Haase
- Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Joanna Collins
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kerstin Howe
- Tree of Life, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Go
- Graduate School of Information Science, Hyogo University, Hyogo, Japan
- Cognitive Genomics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Aichi, Japan
- Department of System Neuroscience, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan
| | - Francoise Thibaud-Nissen
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas C Lister
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Paul D Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Olivier Fedrigo
- Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- Vertebrate Genome Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of Language, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA
| | - Neil J Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Timothy A Hore
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Old JM, Ong OTW, Stannard HJ. Red-tailed phascogales: A review of their biology and importance as model marsupial species. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 335:217-227. [PMID: 33382214 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There are many limitations when using traditional laboratory species. Limits on variation, may result in limited outcomes, at both the species and individual level, due to different individuals/species having diverse physiological processes, or differing molecular and genetic mechanisms. By using a variety of model species, we will be able to develop creative solutions to biological problems and identify differences of which we were not previously aware. The laboratory mouse has been a suitable model species for various mammalian studies, however most are bred specifically for laboratory research with limited variability due to selective breeding. Marsupial models offer unique research opportunities compared to eutherian models. We believe that there should be an expansion in marsupial model species, and the introduction of the red-tailed phascogale (Phascogale calura), a dasyurid marsupial, should be one of them. Phascogales are easily managed in captivity, and there are now multiple studies involving their development, reproduction, nutrition, behavior and immune system, which can serve as a baseline for future studies. The addition of the phascogale as a model species will improve future mammalian studies by introducing variability and offer alternate solutions to biological problems, particularly in the areas of genetics, nutrition, immunology, the neuro-endocrine system, and ageing, due to their semelparous reproductive strategy and hence, subsequent predictive physiology. In this review, we provide information based on existing research on red-tailed phascogales to support their inclusion as a model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Old
- School of Science, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Oselyne T W Ong
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hayley J Stannard
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
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Schraven AL, Stannard HJ, Ong OTW, Old JM. Immunogenetics of marsupial B-cells. Mol Immunol 2019; 117:1-11. [PMID: 31726269 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Marsupials and eutherians are mammals that differ in their physiological traits, predominately their reproductive and developmental strategies; eutherians give birth to well-developed young, while marsupials are born highly altricial after a much shorter gestation. These developmental traits also result in differences in the development of the immune system of eutherian and marsupial species. In eutherians, B-cells are the key to humoral immunity as they are found in multiple lymphoid organs and have the unique ability to mediate the production of antigen-specific antibodies in the presence of extracellular pathogens. The development of B-cells in marsupials has been reported and hypothesised to be similar to that of eutherians, except that haematopoiesis occurs in the liver, postpartum, until the bone marrow fully matures. In eutherians, specific genes are linked to specific stages in B-cell development, maturation, and differentiation processes, and have been identified including immunoglobulins (heavy and light chains), cluster of differentiation markers (CD10, 19, 34 and CD79α/β), signal transduction molecules (BTK, Lyn and Syk) and transcriptional regulators (EBF1, E2A, and Pax5). This review aims to discuss the known similarities and differences between marsupial and eutherian B-cells, in regards to their genetic presence, homology, and developmental stages, as well as to highlight the areas requiring further investigation. By enhancing our understanding of the genes that are involved with B-cells in the marsupial lineage, it will, in turn, aid our understanding of the marsupial immune system and support the development of specific immunological reagents for research and wildlife conservation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Schraven
- School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Hayley J Stannard
- Charles Sturt University, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Oselyne T W Ong
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Julie M Old
- School of Science and Health, Hawkesbury Campus, Western Sydney University, Locked bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
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