Gene Loss

Publication Details

Identifier: JB_M7SCYO

Curator: Raul Valente

DOI: 10.1007/s00251-018-1071-5

PMID: 29998404

Title:

Cetacea are natural knockouts for IL20.

Abstract:

The Cetacea infraorder comprises a very unique group within the mammalian lineage. While sharing common ancestors with terrestrial mammals, their exclusive dependence on aquatic environments makes them attractive models to explore the landscape of molecular shifts in radical habitat transitions. Among their diverse anatomical and physiological solutions, we find detectable genetic remodeling of the immune system. In agreement, here we show that the gene sequence of interleukin-20 (IL20) displays unambiguous signs of inactivation with several disruptive mutations, including stop codons, insertions, and a conserved trans-species mutation abolishing a canonical splice site, in nine analyzed cetacean genomes. Considering the suggested role of IL20 in skin immunity processes, including inflammation, epithelization, and remodeling, we propose that gene inactivation follows specific adaptations of cetacean skin to the aquatic environment, in frame with the less-is-more hypothesis.

Last update:

12-06-2024

Associated Glosses (11 results)

GlossID	Species	Symbol	Gene Loss Mechanism	Loss Type	Lineage Specific	Citation
GL_ZZS4CA	Balaenoptera bonaerensis	IL20	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.1007/s00251-018-1071-5