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The Evolution and Genetics of Carotenoid Processing in Animals
David P L Toews1, Natalie R Hofmeister1, Scott A Taylor2
1Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
Trends in Genetics : TIG
|February 9, 2017
Summary
Scientists are uncovering the genetic basis of animal coloration, focusing on carotenoid pigments. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing are illuminating genes involved in carotenoid processing and their evolutionary history.
Area of Science:
- * Evolutionary genetics and molecular biology.
- * Biochemistry of natural pigments and coloration.
Background:
- * Carotenoid pigments provide red, orange, and yellow hues in nature, essential for many animals but requiring environmental acquisition.
- * Genetic pathways for carotenoid processing are less understood compared to melanogenesis.
- * Identifying genes for carotenoid transport, deposition, and metabolism is crucial for understanding coloration.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review recent advancements in the genetics of carotenoid processing.
- * To highlight the role of high-throughput sequencing in these discoveries.
- * To examine the evolutionary history and mechanisms of carotenoid-related genes.
Main Methods:
- * Review of existing literature and comparative genomic studies.
- * Focus on gene families including scavenger receptors, β-carotene oxygenases, and ketolases.
- * Analysis of high-throughput sequencing data to identify key genes.
Main Results:
- * Identification of specific gene classes (scavenger receptors, oxygenases, ketolases) crucial for carotenoid processing.
- * Evidence of gene and genome duplications associated with these genes.
- * Discovery of conserved evolutionary histories and instances of introgression between taxa.
Conclusions:
- * Genetics of carotenoid processing are becoming clearer due to new sequencing technologies.
- * Evolutionary studies reveal conserved mechanisms, gene duplications, and horizontal gene transfer in carotenoid-related genes.
- * These findings provide a foundation for understanding the genetic basis of animal coloration.
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