著者

Yuki Kimura Masato Nikaido

出版者

The Genetics Society of Japan

雑誌

Genes & Genetic Systems (ISSN:13417568)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.23-00188, (Released:2023-10-17)

参考文献数

28

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Keratins are intermediate filament proteins that are important for epidermal strength and protection from desiccation. Keratin genes are highly duplicated and have diversified by forming two major clusters in the genomes of terrestrial vertebrates. The keratin genes of lungfishes, the closest fish to tetrapods, have not been studied at the genomic level, despite the importance of lungfishes in terrestrial adaptation. Here, we identified keratin genes in the genomes of two lungfish species and performed syntenic and phylogenetic analyses. Additionally, we identified keratin genes from two gobies and two mudskippers, inhabiting underwater and terrestrial environments. We found that in lungfishes, keratin genes were duplicated and diversified within two major clusters, similar to but independent of terrestrial vertebrates. By contrast, keratin genes were not notably duplicated in mudskippers. The results indicate that keratin gene duplication occurred repeatedly in lineages close to tetrapods, but not in teleost fish, even in species adapted to terrestrial environments.

著者

Masato Nikaido

出版者

The Genetics Society of Japan

雑誌

Genes & Genetic Systems (ISSN:13417568)

巻号頁・発行日

pp.19-00009, (Released:2019-09-02)

参考文献数

60

被引用文献数

10

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The vomeronasal organ (VNO) plays a key role in sensing pheromonal cues, which elicit innate responses and induce social and sexual behaviors. The vomeronasal receptor 1 genes, V1Rs, encode members of a pheromone receptor family that are mainly expressed in the VNO. Previous studies have revealed that the V1R family shows extraordinary variety among mammalian species owing to successive gene gains and losses. Because species-specific pheromonal interaction may facilitate species-specific reproductive behaviors, understanding the evolution of V1Rs in terms of their origin, repertoire and phylogeny should provide insight into the mechanisms of animal diversification. Here I summarize recent studies about the V1R family from its initial discovery in the rat genome to extensive comparative analyses among vertebrates. I further introduce our recent findings for V1Rs in a broad range of vertebrates, which reveal unexpected diversity as well as shared features common among lineages.