What snakes and caecilians have in common? Molecular interaction units and the independent origins of similar morphotypes in Tetrapoda

Author(s)

Pereira, Anieli G. ; Grizante, Mariana B. ; Kohlsdorf, Tiana

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; v. 289, n. 1981, p. 10-pg., 2022-08-31.

Abstract

Developmental pathways encompass transcription factors and cis-regulatory elements that interact as transcription factor-regulatory element (TF-RE) units. Independent origins of similar phenotypes likely involve changes in different parts of these units, a hypothesis promisingly tested addressing the evolution of the rib-associated lumbar (RAL) morphotype that characterizes emblematic animals such as snakes and elephants. Previous investigation in these lineages identified a polymorphism in the Homology region 1 [H1] enhancer of the Myogenic factor-5 [Myf5], which interacts with HOX10 proteins to modulate rib development. Here we address the evolution of TF-RE units focusing on independent origins of RAL morphotypes. We compiled an extensive database for H1-Myf5 and HOX10 sequences with two goals: (i) evaluate if the enhancer polymorphism is present in amphibians exhibiting the RAL morphotype and (ii) test a hypothesis of enhanced evolutionary flexibility mediated by TF-RE units, according to which independent origins of the RAL morphotype might involve changes in either component of the interaction unit. We identified the H1-Myf5 polymorphism in lineages that diverged around 340 Ma, including Lissamphibia. Independent origins of the RAL morphotype in Tetrapoda involved sequence variation in either component of the TF-RE unit, confirming that different changes may similarly affect the phenotypic outcome of a given developmental pathway. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/00447-7 - Convergent morphological evolution in Squamata: developmental modularity and body elongation patterns
• Grantee: Mariana Bortoletto Grizante
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/07650-6 - Ecology, evolution and development (Eco-Evo-Devo) in the Brazilian herpetofauna
• Grantee: Tiana Kohlsdorf
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/14780-1 - Evo-Devo in dynamic environments: implications of climatic changes in the biodiversity
• Grantee: Tiana Kohlsdorf
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/21712-5 - Molecular evolution of HOX genes: are there convergent genetic patterns on the multiple origins of the snakelike phenotype in Tetrapoda?
• Grantee: Anieli Guirro Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral