The molecular evolution of genes previously associated with large sizes reveals possible pathways to cetacean gigantism

Autor(es)

Silva, Felipe Andre ; Souza, Erica M. S. ; Ramos, Elisa ; Freitas, Lucas ; Nery, Mariana F. F.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 13, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2023-01-19.

Resumo

Cetaceans are a group of aquatic mammals with the largest body sizes among living animals, including giant representatives such as blue and fin whales. To understand the genetic bases of gigantism in cetaceans, we performed molecular evolutionary analyses on five genes (GHSR, IGF2, IGFBP2, IGFBP7, and EGF) from the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis, and four genes (ZFAT, EGF, LCORL, and PLAG1) previously described as related to the size of species evolutionarily close to cetaceans, such as pigs, cows, and sheep. Our dataset comprised 19 species of cetaceans, seven of which are classified as giants because they exceed 10 m in length. Our results revealed signs of positive selection in genes from the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis and also in those related to body increase in cetacean-related species. In addition, pseudogenization of the EGF gene was detected in the lineage of toothless cetaceans, Mysticeti. Our results suggest the action of positive selection on gigantism in genes that act both in body augmentation and in mitigating its consequences, such as cancer suppression when involved in processes such as division, migration, and cell development control. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/18269-1 - Usando genômica comparativa para entender a evolução convergente de mamíferos: em busca das pegadas moleculares da ocupação do ambiente marinho e fluvial
• Beneficiário: Mariana Freitas Nery
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 17/25058-2 - Evolução adaptativa convergente de genes relacionados à hematofagia em Insecta
• Beneficiário: Lucas Araujo Freitas
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 18/01236-1 - Evolução em mamíferos aquáticos na ocupação de novos ambientes: investigando as pegadas moleculares da colonização do ambiente fluvial com foco no sistema de osmorregulação
• Beneficiário: Elisa Karen da Silva Ramos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado