Gene Loss

Publication Details

Identifier: JB_UXEOK1

Curator: Diogo Oliveira

Title:

Ancient convergent losses of yield potential risks for modern marine mammals.

Abstract:

Mammals diversified by colonizing drastically different environments, with each transition yielding numerous molecular changes, including losses of protein function. Though not initially deleterious, these losses could subsequently carry deleterious pleiotropic consequences. We have used phylogenetic methods to identify convergent functional losses across independent marine mammal lineages. In one extreme case, () accrued lesions in all marine lineages, while remaining intact in all terrestrial mammals. These lesions coincide with PON1 enzymatic activity loss in marine species' blood plasma. This convergent loss is likely explained by parallel shifts in marine ancestors' lipid metabolism and/or bloodstream oxidative environment affecting PON1's role in fatty acid oxidation. PON1 loss also eliminates marine mammals' main defense against neurotoxicity from specific man-made organophosphorus compounds, implying potential risks in modern environments.

Last update:

17-04-2024

Associated Glosses (10 results)

GlossID	Species	Symbol	Gene Loss Mechanism	Loss Type	Lineage Specific	Citation
GL_4SWENK	Enhydra lutris	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_5LQSLX	Physeter catodon	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_77VUNQ	Trichechus manatus	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_8OMBQV	Leptonychotes weddellii	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_DRNKS6	Orcinus orca	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_MYNMM3	Lipotes vexillifer	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_PLA9OQ	Neomonachus schauinslandi	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_SKKTEF	Balaenoptera acutorostrata	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_SWDDUE	Tursiops truncatus	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714
GL_XHHFIS	Dugong dugon	PON1	LOF (frameshift, premature stop, ss)	Full	No	10.1126/science.aap7714