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Li B, Jia Y, Xu L, Zhang S, Long Z, Wang R, Guo Y, Zhang W, Jiao C, Li C, Xu Y. Transcriptional convergence after repeated duplication of an amino acid transporter gene leads to the independent emergence of the black husk/pericarp trait in barley and rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1282-1298. [PMID: 38124464 PMCID: PMC11022822 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The repeated emergence of the same trait (convergent evolution) in distinct species is an interesting phenomenon and manifests visibly the power of natural selection. The underlying genetic mechanisms have important implications to understand how the genome evolves under environmental challenges. In cereal crops, both rice and barley can develop black-coloured husk/pericarp due to melanin accumulation. However, it is unclear if this trait shares a common origin. Here, we fine-mapped the barley HvBlp gene controlling the black husk/pericarp trait and confirmed its function by gene silencing. The result was further supported by a yellow husk/pericarp mutant with deletion of the HvBlp gene, derived from gamma ray radiation of the wild-type W1. HvBlp encodes a putative tyrosine transporter homologous to the black husk gene OsBh4 in rice. Surprisingly, synteny and phylogenetic analyses showed that HvBlp and OsBh4 belonged to different lineages resulted from dispersed and tandem duplications, respectively, suggesting that the black husk/pericarp trait has emerged independently. The dispersed duplication (dated at 21.23 MYA) yielding HvBlp occurred exclusively in the common ancestor of Triticeae. HvBlp and OsBh4 displayed converged transcription in husk/pericarp tissues, contributing to the black husk/pericarp trait. Further transcriptome and metabolome data identified critical candidate genes and metabolites related to melanin production in barley. Taken together, our study described a compelling case of convergent evolution resulted from transcriptional convergence after repeated gene duplication, providing valuable genetic insights into phenotypic evolution. The identification of the black husk/pericarp genes in barley also has great potential in breeding for stress-resilient varieties with higher nutritional values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Crop Molecular Breeding, Food Crops InstituteHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Yong Jia
- Western Crop Genetics Alliance, Future Food Institute, Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, College of Science, Health, Engineering and EducationMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Le Xu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for the industrialization of Major Grain Crops, College of AgricultureYangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Crop Molecular Breeding, Food Crops InstituteHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Zhoukai Long
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for the industrialization of Major Grain Crops, College of AgricultureYangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Rong Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for the industrialization of Major Grain Crops, College of AgricultureYangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Ying Guo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Crop Molecular Breeding, Food Crops InstituteHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Wenying Zhang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Centre for the industrialization of Major Grain Crops, College of AgricultureYangtze UniversityJingzhouChina
| | - Chunhai Jiao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Crop Molecular Breeding, Food Crops InstituteHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Chengdao Li
- Western Crop Genetics Alliance, Future Food Institute, Western Australian State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, College of Science, Health, Engineering and EducationMurdoch UniversityMurdochWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentSouth PerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Yanhao Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Crop Germplasm and Genetic Improvement & Key Laboratory of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for Crop Molecular Breeding, Food Crops InstituteHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
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Lau ES, Goodheart JA, Anderson NT, Liu VL, Mukherjee A, Oakley TH. Similar enzymatic functions in distinct bioluminescence systems: Evolutionary recruitment of sulfotransferases in ostracod light organs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.12.536614. [PMID: 37090632 PMCID: PMC10120648 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Genes from ancient families are sometimes involved in the convergent evolutionary origins of similar traits, even across vast phylogenetic distances. Sulfotransferases are an ancient family of enzymes that transfer sulfate from a donor to a wide variety of substrates, including probable roles in some bioluminescence systems. Here we demonstrate multiple sulfotransferases, highly expressed in light organs of the bioluminescent ostracod Vargula tsujii , transfer sulfate in vivo to the luciferin substrate, vargulin. We find luciferin sulfotransferases of ostracods are not orthologous to known luciferin sulfotransferases of fireflies or sea pansies; animals with distinct and convergently evolved bioluminescence systems compared to ostracods. Therefore, distantly related sulfotransferases were independently recruited at least three times, leading to parallel evolution of luciferin metabolism in three highly diverged organisms. Re-use of homologous genes is surprising in these bioluminescence systems because the other components, including luciferins and luciferases, are completely distinct. Whether convergently evolved traits incorporate ancient genes with similar functions or instead use distinct, often newer, genes may be constrained by how many genetic solutions exist for a particular function. When fewer solutions exist, as in genetic sulfation of small molecules, evolution may be more constrained to use the same genes time and again.
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Eastment RV, Wong BBM, McGee MD. Convergent genomic signatures associated with vertebrate viviparity. BMC Biol 2024; 22:34. [PMID: 38331819 PMCID: PMC10854053 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01837-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viviparity-live birth-is a complex and innovative mode of reproduction that has evolved repeatedly across the vertebrate Tree of Life. Viviparous species exhibit remarkable levels of reproductive diversity, both in the amount of care provided by the parent during gestation, and the ways in which that care is delivered. The genetic basis of viviparity has garnered increasing interest over recent years; however, such studies are often undertaken on small evolutionary timelines, and thus are not able to address changes occurring on a broader scale. Using whole genome data, we investigated the molecular basis of this innovation across the diversity of vertebrates to answer a long held question in evolutionary biology: is the evolution of convergent traits driven by convergent genomic changes? RESULTS We reveal convergent changes in protein family sizes, protein-coding regions, introns, and untranslated regions (UTRs) in a number of distantly related viviparous lineages. Specifically, we identify 15 protein families showing evidence of contraction or expansion associated with viviparity. We additionally identify elevated substitution rates in both coding and noncoding sequences in several viviparous lineages. However, we did not find any convergent changes-be it at the nucleotide or protein level-common to all viviparous lineages. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the value of macroevolutionary comparative genomics in determining the genomic basis of complex evolutionary transitions. While we identify a number of convergent genomic changes that may be associated with the evolution of viviparity in vertebrates, there does not appear to be a convergent molecular signature shared by all viviparous vertebrates. Ultimately, our findings indicate that a complex trait such as viviparity likely evolves with changes occurring in multiple different pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhiannon V Eastment
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia.
| | - Bob B M Wong
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Matthew D McGee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
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Sakurai T, Kusama K, Imakawa K. Progressive Exaptation of Endogenous Retroviruses in Placental Evolution in Cattle. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1680. [PMID: 38136553 PMCID: PMC10741562 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121680] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Viviparity is made possible by the placenta, a structure acquired relatively recently in the evolutionary history of eutherian mammals. Compared to oviparity, it increases the survival rate of the fetus, owing to the eutherian placenta. Questions such as "How was the placenta acquired?" and "Why is there diversity in placental morphology among mammalian species?" remain largely unsolved. Our present understanding of the molecules regulating placental development remains unclear, owing in no small part to the persistent obscurity surrounding the molecular mechanisms underlying placental acquisition. Numerous genes associated with the development of eutherian placental morphology likely evolved to function at the fetal-maternal interface in conjunction with those participating in embryogenesis. Therefore, identifying these genes, how they were acquired, and how they came to be expressed specifically at the fetal-maternal interface will shed light on some crucial molecular mechanisms underlying placental evolution. Exhaustive studies support the hypothesis that endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) could be evolutional driving forces for trophoblast cell fusion and placental structure in mammalian placentas including those of the bovine species. This review focuses on bovine ERVs (BERVs) and their expression and function in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Sakurai
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Ohu University, 31-1 Misumido, Koriyama 963-8611, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kazuya Kusama
- Department of Endocrine Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji 192-0392, Tokyo, Japan;
| | - Kazuhiko Imakawa
- Research Institute of Agriculture, Tokai University, 9-1-1 Toroku, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto 862-8652, Japan;
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Yusuf LH, Saldívar Lemus Y, Thorpe P, Macías Garcia C, Ritchie MG. Genomic Signatures Associated with Transitions to Viviparity in Cyprinodontiformes. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad208. [PMID: 37789509 PMCID: PMC10568250 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition from oviparity to viviparity has occurred independently over 150 times across vertebrates, presenting one of the most compelling cases of phenotypic convergence. However, whether the repeated, independent evolution of viviparity is driven by redeployment of similar genetic mechanisms and whether these leave a common signature in genomic divergence remains largely unknown. Although recent investigations into the evolution of viviparity have demonstrated striking similarity among the genes and molecular pathways involved across disparate vertebrate groups, quantitative tests for genome-wide convergent have provided ambivalent answers. Here, we investigate the potential role of molecular convergence during independent transitions to viviparity across an order of ray-finned freshwater fish (Cyprinodontiformes). We assembled de novo genomes and utilized publicly available genomes of viviparous and oviparous species to test for molecular convergence across both coding and noncoding regions. We found no evidence for an excess of molecular convergence in amino acid substitutions and in rates of sequence divergence, implying independent genetic changes are associated with these transitions. However, both statistical power and biological confounds could constrain our ability to detect significant correlated evolution. We therefore identified candidate genes with potential signatures of molecular convergence in viviparous Cyprinodontiformes lineages. Motif enrichment and gene ontology analyses suggest transcriptional changes associated with early morphogenesis, brain development, and immunity occurred alongside the evolution of viviparity. Overall, however, our findings indicate that independent transitions to viviparity in these fish are not strongly associated with an excess of molecular convergence, but a few genes show convincing evidence of convergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeban H Yusuf
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Yolitzi Saldívar Lemus
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Peter Thorpe
- The Data Analysis Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- School of Medicine, University of North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9TF, UK
| | - Constantino Macías Garcia
- Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City CdMx, Mexico
| | - Michael G Ritchie
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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Ohishi Y, Arimura S, Shimoyama K, Yamada K, Yamauchi S, Horie T, Hyodo S, Kuraku S. Egg Yolk Protein Homologs Identified in Live-Bearing Sharks: Co-Opted in the Lecithotrophy-to-Matrotrophy Shift? Genome Biol Evol 2023; 15:7048455. [PMID: 36808237 PMCID: PMC10015161 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive modes of vertebrates are classified into two major embryonic nutritional types: yolk deposits (i.e., lecithotrophy) and maternal investment (i.e., matrotrophy). Vitellogenin (VTG), a major egg yolk protein synthesized in the female liver, is one of the molecules relevant to the lecithotrophy-to-matrotrophy shift in bony vertebrates. In mammals, all VTG genes are lost following the lecithotrophy-to-matrotrophy shift, and it remains to be elucidated whether the lecithotrophy-to-matrotrophy shift in nonmammalians is also associated with VTG repertoire modification. In this study, we focused on chondrichthyans (cartilaginous fishes)-a vertebrate clade that underwent multiple lecithotrophy-to-matrotrophy shifts. For an exhaustive search of homologs, we performed tissue-by-tissue transcriptome sequencing for two viviparous chondrichthyans, the frilled shark Chlamydoselachus anguineus and the spotless smooth-hound Mustelus griseus, and inferred the molecular phylogeny of VTG and its receptor very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR), across diverse vertebrates. As a result, we identified either three or four VTG orthologs in chondrichthyans including viviparous species. We also showed that chondrichthyans had two additional VLDLR orthologs previously unrecognized in their unique lineage (designated as VLDLRc2 and VLDLRc3). Notably, VTG gene expression patterns differed in the species studied depending on their reproductive mode; VTGs are broadly expressed in multiple tissues, including the uterus, in the two viviparous sharks, and in addition to the liver. This finding suggests that the chondrichthyans VTGs do not only function as the yolk nutrient but also as the matrotrophic factor. Altogether, our study indicates that the lecithotrophy-to-matrotrophy shift in chondrichthyans was achieved through a distinct evolutionary process from mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ohishi
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan.,Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shogo Arimura
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Koya Shimoyama
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | | | - Shinya Yamauchi
- Husbandry Department, Environmental Aquarium Aquamarine Fukushima, Iwaki, Japan
| | - Taku Horie
- Department of Marine Biology, School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Shimizu, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Susumu Hyodo
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Kuraku
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan.,Molecular Life History Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan.,Depertment of Genetics, Sokendai (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Mishima, Japan
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