Genetic variability of the sws1 cone opsin gene among New World monkeys

Author(s):Show less -

Mantovani, Viviani ^[1] ; Hauzman, Einat ^{[2, 1]} ; Corredor, Vitor H. ^[1] ; Goulart, Paulo R. K. ^[3] ; Galvao, Olavo ^[3] ; Talebi, Mauricio ^[4] ; Pessoa, Daniel M. A. ^[5] ; Soares, Juliana G. M. ^[6] ; Fiorani, Mario ^[6] ; Gattass, Ricardo ^[6] ; Ventura Fix, Dora ^{[2, 1]} ; Bonci, Daniela M. O. ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Psicol, Dept Psicol Expt, Ave Prof Mello Moraes 1721, Bloco A Sala D9, BR-05508030 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Hosp Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Para, Nucleo Teoria Pesquisa Comportamento, Belem, Para - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Dept Fisiol & Comportamento, Natal, RN - Brazil

^[6] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Biofis Carlos Chagas Filho, Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY; v. 82, n. 12 DEC 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Vision is a major sense for Primates and the ability to perceive colors has great importance for the species ecology and behavior. Visual processing begins with the activation of the visual opsins in the retina, and the spectral absorption peaks are highly variable among species. In most Primates, LWS/MWS opsins are responsible for sensitivity to long/middle wavelengths within the visible light spectrum, and SWS1 opsins provide sensitivity to short wavelengths, in the violet region of the spectrum. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic variation on thesws1opsin gene of New World monkeys (NWM) and search for amino acid substitutions that might be associated with the different color vision phenotypes described for a few species. We sequenced the exon 1 of thesws1opsin gene of seven species from the families Callitrichidae, Cebidae, and Atelidae, and searched for variation at the spectral tuning sites 46, 49, 52, 86, 90, 93, 114, 116, and 118. Among the known spectral tuning sites, only residue 114 was variable. To investigate whether other residues have a functional role in the SWS1 absorption peak, we performed computational modeling of wild-type SWS1 and mutants A50I and A50V, found naturally among the species investigated. Although in silico analysis did not show any visible effect caused by these substitutions, it is possible that interactions of residue 50 with other sites might have some effect in the spectral shifts in the order of similar to 14 nm, found among the NWM. We also performed phylogenetic reconstruction of thesws1gene, which partially recovered the species phylogeny. Further studies will be important to uncover the mutations responsible for the phenotypic variability of the SWS1 of NWM, and how spectral tuning may be associated with specific ecological features such as preferred food items and habitat use. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/26818-2 - Development and implementation of visual evaluation methods: clinical applications and animal models
• Grantee: Dora Selma Fix Ventura
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/25743-9 - Expression of opsins and melanopsins in snakes' retinas: molecular genetics and immunohistochemistry
• Grantee: Einat Hauzman
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/09321-8 - In vitro expression and spectral absorption measurements of the SWS1 photopigment of the Colubridae snake Helicops modestus
• Grantee: Einat Hauzman
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 08/58731-2 - Vision as a sensitive indicator of conditions threatening retinal and central nervous system function
• Grantee: Dora Selma Fix Ventura
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants