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Lin PY, Huang PY, Lee YC, Ng CS. Analysis and comparison of protein secondary structures in the rachis of avian flight feathers. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12919. [PMID: 35251779 PMCID: PMC8893027 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12919] [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: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Avians have evolved many different modes of flying as well as various types of feathers for adapting to varied environments. However, the protein content and ratio of protein secondary structures (PSSs) in mature flight feathers are less understood. Further research is needed to understand the proportions of PSSs in feather shafts adapted to various flight modes in different avian species. Flight feathers were analyzed in chicken, mallard, sacred ibis, crested goshawk, collared scops owl, budgie, and zebra finch to investigate the PSSs that have evolved in the feather cortex and medulla by using nondestructive attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). In addition, synchrotron radiation-based, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR-FTIRM) was utilized to measure and analyze cross-sections of the feather shafts of seven bird species at a high lateral resolution to resolve the composition of proteins distributed within the sampled area of interest. In this study, significant amounts of α-keratin and collagen components were observed in flight feather shafts, suggesting that these proteins play significant roles in the mechanical strength of flight feathers. This investigation increases our understanding of adaptations to flight by elucidating the structural and mechanistic basis of the feather composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pin-Yen Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yu Huang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chang Lee
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan,Department of Optics and Photonics, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chen Siang Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,Bioresource Conservation Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan,The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Ng CS, Li WH. Genetic and Molecular Basis of Feather Diversity in Birds. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:2572-2586. [PMID: 30169786 PMCID: PMC6171735 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Feather diversity is striking in many aspects. Although the development of feather has been studied for decades, genetic and genomic studies of feather diversity have begun only recently. Many questions remain to be answered by multidisciplinary approaches. In this review, we discuss three levels of feather diversity: Feather morphotypes, intraspecific variations, and interspecific variations. We summarize recent studies of feather evolution in terms of genetics, genomics, and developmental biology and provide perspectives for future research. Specifically, this review includes the following topics: 1) Diversity of feather morphotype; 2) feather diversity among different breeds of domesticated birds, including variations in pigmentation pattern, in feather length or regional identity, in feather orientation, in feather distribution, and in feather structure; and 3) diversity of feathers among avian species, including plumage color and morph differences between species and the regulatory differences in downy feather development between altricial and precocial birds. Finally, we discussed future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Siang Ng
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology & Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.,The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hsiung Li
- The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago
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Greenwold MJ, Bao W, Jarvis ED, Hu H, Li C, Gilbert MTP, Zhang G, Sawyer RH. Dynamic evolution of the alpha (α) and beta (β) keratins has accompanied integument diversification and the adaptation of birds into novel lifestyles. BMC Evol Biol 2014; 14:249. [PMID: 25496280 PMCID: PMC4264316 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-014-0249-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vertebrate skin appendages are constructed of keratins produced by multigene families. Alpha (α) keratins are found in all vertebrates, while beta (β) keratins are found exclusively in reptiles and birds. We have studied the molecular evolution of these gene families in the genomes of 48 phylogenetically diverse birds and their expression in the scales and feathers of the chicken. RESULTS We found that the total number of α-keratins is lower in birds than mammals and non-avian reptiles, yet two α-keratin genes (KRT42 and KRT75) have expanded in birds. The β-keratins, however, demonstrate a dynamic evolution associated with avian lifestyle. The avian specific feather β-keratins comprise a large majority of the total number of β-keratins, but independently derived lineages of aquatic and predatory birds have smaller proportions of feather β-keratin genes and larger proportions of keratinocyte β-keratin genes. Additionally, birds of prey have a larger proportion of claw β-keratins. Analysis of α- and β-keratin expression during development of chicken scales and feathers demonstrates that while α-keratins are expressed in these tissues, the number and magnitude of expressed β-keratin genes far exceeds that of α-keratins. CONCLUSIONS These results support the view that the number of α- and β-keratin genes expressed, the proportion of the β-keratin subfamily genes expressed and the diversification of the β-keratin genes have been important for the evolution of the feather and the adaptation of birds into multiple ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Greenwold
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina USA
| | - Weier Bao
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina USA
| | - Erich D Jarvis
- />Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Haofu Hu
- />China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China
| | - Cai Li
- />China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China
- />Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- />Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
- />Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102 Australia
| | - Guojie Zhang
- />China National Genebank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083 China
- />Centre for Social Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger H Sawyer
- />Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina USA
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Sawyer RH, Knapp LW. Avian skin development and the evolutionary origin of feathers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2003; 298:57-72. [PMID: 12949769 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of several dinosaurs with filamentous integumentary appendages of different morphologies has stimulated models for the evolutionary origin of feathers. In order to understand these models, knowledge of the development of the avian integument must be put into an evolutionary context. Thus, we present a review of avian scale and feather development, which summarizes the morphogenetic events involved, as well as the expression of the beta (beta) keratin multigene family that characterizes the epidermal appendages of reptiles and birds. First we review information on the evolution of the ectodermal epidermis and its beta (beta) keratins. Then we examine the morphogenesis of scutate scales and feathers including studies in which the extraembryonic ectoderm of the chorion is used to examine dermal induction. We also present studies on the scaleless (sc) mutant, and, because of the recent discovery of "four-winged" dinosaurs, we review earlier studies of a chicken strain, Silkie, that expresses ptilopody (pti), "feathered feet." We conclude that the ability of the ectodermal epidermis to generate discrete cell populations capable of forming functional structural elements consisting of specific members of the beta keratin multigene family was a plesiomorphic feature of the archosaurian ancestor of crocodilians and birds. Evidence suggests that the discrete epidermal lineages that make up the embryonic feather filament of extant birds are homologous with similar embryonic lineages of the developing scutate scales of birds and the scales of alligators. We believe that the early expression of conserved signaling modules in the embryonic skin of the avian ancestor led to the early morphogenesis of the embryonic feather filament, with its periderm, sheath, and barb ridge lineages forming the first protofeather. Invagination of the epidermis of the protofeather led to formation of the follicle providing for feather renewal and diversification. The observations that scale formation in birds involves an inhibition of feather formation coupled with observations on the feathered feet of the scaleless (High-line) and Silkie strains support the view that the ancestor of modern birds may have had feathered hind limbs similar to those recently discovered in nonavian dromaeosaurids. And finally, our recent observation on the bristles of the wild turkey beard raises the possibility that similar integumentary appendages may have adorned nonavian dinosaurs, and thus all filamentous integumentary appendages may not be homologous to modern feathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger H Sawyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, USA
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Chuong CM, Wu P, Zhang FC, Xu X, Yu M, Widelitz RB, Jiang TX, Hou L. Adaptation to the sky: Defining the feather with integument fossils from mesozoic China and experimental evidence from molecular laboratories. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2003; 298:42-56. [PMID: 12949768 PMCID: PMC4381994 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In this special issue on the Evo-Devo of amniote integuments, Alibardi has discussed the adaptation of the integument to the land. Here we will discuss the adaptation to the sky. We first review a series of fossil discoveries representing intermediate forms of feathers or feather-like appendages from dinosaurs and Mesozoic birds from the Jehol Biota of China. We then discuss the molecular and developmental biological experiments using chicken integuments as the model. Feather forms can be modulated using retrovirus mediated gene mis-expression that mimics those found in nature today and in the evolutionary past. The molecular conversions among different types of integument appendages (feather, scale, tooth) are discussed. From this evidence, we recognize that not all organisms with feathers are birds, and that not all skin appendages with hierarchical branches are feathers. We develop a set of criteria for true avian feathers: 1) possessing actively proliferating cells in the proximal follicle for proximo-distal growth mode; 2) forming hierarchical branches of rachis, barbs, and barbules, with barbs formed by differential cell death and bilaterally or radially symmetric; 3) having a follicle structure, with mesenchyme core during development; 4) when mature, consisting of epithelia without mesenchyme core and with two sides of the vane facing the previous basal and supra-basal layers, respectively; and 5) having stem cells and dermal papilla in the follicle and hence the ability to molt and regenerate. A model of feather evolution from feather bud --> barbs --> barbules --> rachis is presented, which is opposite to the old view of scale plate --> rachis --> barbs --> barbules (Regal, '75; Q Rev Biol 50:35).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Ming Chuong
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
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Sawyer RH, Glenn T, French JO, Mays B, Shames RB, Barnes GL, Rhodes W, Ishikawa Y. The Expression of Beta (β) Keratins in the Epidermal Appendages of Reptiles and Birds. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/40.4.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Schweitzer M, Watt J, Avci R, Knapp L, Chiappe L, Norell M, Marshall M. Beta-keratin specific immunological reactivity in feather-like structures of the Cretaceous Alvarezsaurid,Shuvuuia deserti. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1999. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-010x(19990815)285:2<146::aid-jez7>3.0.co;2-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Zeltinger J, Sawyer RH. Avian scale development. XVII: The epidermis of the scaleless (sc/sc) anterior metatarsal skin is determined, but the dermis lacks permissive cues for the patterned expression of the determined state. Dev Dyn 1992; 193:58-69. [PMID: 1540706 DOI: 10.1002/aja.1001930109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryos homozygous for the gene scaleless (sc/sc) completely lack scutate scales and the beta strata which characterize terminal differentiation of the scale ridges located on the anterior metatarsal region of the foot. Although the sc/sc epidermis cannot undergo scale morphogenesis, it can respond to the inductive dermal ridges of normal scutate scales by generating beta strata. Recently, we discovered that the anterior metatarsal epidermis of normal embryos becomes committed to the formation of beta strata prior to morphogenesis of definitive scale ridges. Here, we examined the possibility that the sc/sc anterior metatarsal epidermis also becomes determined, i.e., committed to scutate scale-specific terminal differentiation. Experimental tissue recombinants were used to assess the ability of the sc/sc epidermis to generate beta strata. The results show that the germinative cells of the 15-day sc/sc epidermis are committed to generating beta strata, even though they have not undergone scutate scale morphogenesis. Thus, the mechanisms involved in establishing epidermal determination must differ form those regulating scale morphogenesis. In addition, we examined the formation of patterned, permissive cues in the anterior metatarsal and footpad dermises of sc/sc embryos. Analysis of recombinants showed that both the 15- and 20-day dermises from the sc/sc anterior metatarsal region fail to provide cues for beta stratum formation, when associated with the determined 15-day scutate scale epidermis. Likewise, the 15-day sc/sc footpad dermis cannot support beta stratum formation. However, 20-day sc/sc footpad dermis is able to support the generation of a few abnormally patterned beta strata, demonstrating that sc/sc dermis which has experienced even limited morphogenesis is able to provide permissive cues for the terminal differentiation of the scutate scale epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zeltinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208
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Carver WE, Sawyer RH. Immunocytochemical localization and biochemical analysis of alpha and beta keratins in the avian lingual epithelium. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ANATOMY 1989; 184:66-75. [PMID: 2464920 DOI: 10.1002/aja.1001840108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The alpha and beta keratins are found as 10-nm and 3-nm cytoplasmic filaments, respectively. While the alpha keratins are produced in essentially all vertebrate epithelia (Franke et al.: Exp. Cell Res., 116:429-445, 1978; Sun et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 76:2813-2817, 1979), the beta keratins have been demonstrated only in specific epithelial tissues of birds and reptiles (Sawyer et al.: In: Biology of the Integument: Vertebrates. J. Bereiter-Hahn, A.G. Matoltsy, and K.S. Richards, eds. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Vol. 2, pp. 194-238, 1986; Landmann: In: Biology of the Integument: Vertebrates. J. Bereiter-Hahn, A.G. Matoltsy, and K.S. Richards, eds. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Vol. 2, pp. 150-187, 1986). Recently, Homberger and Brush (Zoomorphology, 106:103-114, 1986) have demonstrated that within the lingual epithelium of parrots, beta keratins are expressed exclusively in the anterior ventral region. While it is well established that epidermal-dermal interactions are important for the regional expression of the beta keratin genes in the avian scutate scales and feathers, little is known about the expression of beta keratins in other epithelial structures such as the tongue. We have used biochemical and immunocytochemical techniques to analyze the alpha and beta keratins of the lingual epithelium of the chick as an initial step in the characterization of this model system for developmental studies. We have found that alpha keratins are present throughout the lingual epithelium. The anterior ventral epithelium contains alpha keratin polypeptides characteristic of skin-type differentiation, while the epithelium of the dorsal and posterior ventral regions contains alpha keratin polypeptides characteristic of esophageal-type differentiation (O'Guin et al.: In: Current Topics in Developmental Biology: The Molecular and Developmental Biology of Keratins. A.A. Moscona and A. Monroy, eds. R.H. Sawyer, vol. ed. Academic Press, New York, Vol. 22, pp. 282-306, 1987). Beta keratins are produced only in the differentiated epithelial cells of the anterior ventral region of the tongue. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrates that the alpha and beta keratins of the stratum intermedium and corneum of the anterior ventral region are found together in the large filament bundles characteristic of this region. The preexistence of the alpha keratins in the cells destined to produce beta keratins as well as the colocalization of these keratins in the filament bundles of these cells suggests that a functional relationship may exist between the alpha and beta keratins.
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Affiliation(s)
- W E Carver
- Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208
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Carver WE, Sawyer RH. Avian scale development: XI. Immunoelectron microscopic localization of alpha and beta keratins in the scutate scale. J Morphol 1988; 195:31-43. [PMID: 2448486 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.1051950104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions play important roles in morphogenesis, histogenesis, and keratinization of the vertebrate integument. In the anterior metatarsal region of the chicken, morphogenesis results in the formation of distinct overlapping scutate scales. Recent studies have shown that the dermis of scutate scales is involved in the expression of the beta keratin gene products, which characterize terminal differentiation of the epidermis on the outer scale surface (Sawyer et al.: Dev. Biol. 101:8-18, '84; Shames and Sawyer: Dev. Biol. 116:15-22, '86; Shames and Sawyer: In A.A. Moscona and A. Monroy (eds), R.H. Sawyer (Vol. ed): Current Topics in Developmental Biology. Vol. 22: The Molecular and Developmental Biology of Keratins. New York: Academic Press, pp. 235-253, '87). Since alpha and beta keratins are both found in the scutate scale and are members of two different multigene families, it is important to know the precise location of these distinct keratins within the epidermis. In the present study, we have used protein A-gold immunoelectron microscopy with antisera made against avian alpha and beta keratins to specifically localize these keratins during development of the scutate scale to better understand the relationship between dermal cues and terminal differentiation. We find that the bundles of 3-nm filaments, characteristic of tissues known to produce beta keratins, react specifically with antiserum which recognizes beta keratin polypeptides and are found in the embryonic subperiderm that covers the entire scutate scale and in the stratum intermedium and stratum corneum making up the platelike beta stratum of the outer scale surface. Secondly, we find that 8-10-nm tonofilaments react specifically with antiserum that recognizes alpha keratin polypeptides and are located in the germinative basal cells and the lowermost cells of the stratum intermedium of the outer scale surface, as well as in the embryonic alpha stratum, which is lost from the outer surface of the scale at hatching. The alpha keratins are found throughout the epidermis of the inner surface of the scale and the hinge region. Thus, the present study further supports the hypothesis that the tissue interactions responsible for the formation of the beta stratum of scutate scales do not directly activate the synthesis of beta keratins in the germinative cells but influence these cells so that they or their progeny will activate specific beta keratin genes at the appropriate time and place.
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Affiliation(s)
- W E Carver
- Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208
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