Gene Loss

Publication Details

Identifier: JB_ADJOUI

Curator: M. Lopes-Marques

DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.002

PMID: 33157262

Title:

Convergent Cortistatin losses parallel modifications in circadian rhythmicity and energy homeostasis in Cetacea and other mammalian lineages.

Abstract:

The ancestors of Cetacea underwent profound morpho-physiological alterations. By displaying an exclusive aquatic existence, cetaceans evolved unique patterns of locomotor activity, vigilant behaviour, thermoregulation and circadian rhythmicity. Deciphering the molecular landscape governing many of these adaptations is key to understand the evolution of phenotypes. Here, we investigate Cortistatin (CORT), a neuropeptide displaying an important role in mammalian biorhythm regulation. This neuropeptide is a known neuroendocrine factor, stimulating slow-wave sleep, but also involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and hypomotility inducement. We assessed the functional status of CORT in 359 mammalian genomes (25 orders), including 30 species of Cetacea. Our findings indicate that cetaceans and other mammals with atypical biorhythms, thermal constraints and/or energy metabolism, have accumulated deleterious mutations in CORT. In light of the pleiotropic action of this neuropeptide, we suggest that this inactivation contributed to a plethora of phenotypic adjustments to accommodate adaptive solutions to specific ecological niches.

Last update:

29-06-2024

Associated Glosses (63 results)

GlossID	Species	Symbol	Gene Loss Mechanism	Loss Type	Lineage Specific	Citation
GL_ZLK3TG	Panthera tigris altaica	CORT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.002
GL_ZP4LA1	Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus	CORT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.002
GL_ZPGHTA	Vulpes vulpes	CORT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.002