Gene Loss

Publication Details

Identifier: JB_NJQWHQ

Curator: Nádia Silva

Title:

The Singularity of Cetacea Behavior Parallels the Complete Inactivation of Melatonin Gene Modules.

Abstract:

Melatonin, the hormone of darkness, is a peculiar molecule found in most living organisms. Emerging as a potent broad-spectrum antioxidant, melatonin was repurposed into extra roles such as the modulation of circadian and seasonal rhythmicity, affecting numerous aspects of physiology and behaviour, including sleep entrainment and locomotor activity. Interestingly, the pineal gland-the melatonin synthesising organ in vertebrates-was suggested to be absent or rudimentary in some mammalian lineages, including Cetacea. In Cetacea, pineal regression is paralleled by their unique bio-rhythmicity, as illustrated by the unihemispheric sleeping behaviour and long-term vigilance. Here, we examined the genes responsible for melatonin synthesis ( and ) and signalling ( and ) in 12 toothed and baleen whale genomes. Based on an ample genomic comparison, we deduce that melatonin-related gene modules are eroded in Cetacea.

Last update:

23-07-2024

Associated Glosses (49 results)

GlossID	Species	Symbol	Gene Loss Mechanism	Loss Type	Lineage Specific	Citation
GL_AO1S9Q	Lagenorhynchus obliquidens	AANAT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_BQEHPG	Orcinus orca	AANAT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_BZ5P6W	Delphinapterus leucas	MTNR1A	Gene deletion	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_DH9TMC	Balaena mysticetus	MTNR1B	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_DMQFNO	Lipotes vexillifer	MTNR1A	Gene deletion	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_DQYBFD	Trichechus manatus	MTNR1B	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full		10.3390/genes10020121
GL_DSH8TC	Eschrichtius robustus	ASMT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_DWYRTT	Orcinus orca	MTNR1A	Gene deletion	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_DYGSOI	Neophocaena asiaeorientalis	AANAT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121
GL_ECBS0Q	Balaenoptera acutorostrata	AANAT	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	Cetacea	10.3390/genes10020121