Evolution and Expression of S100A7 Gene in Vertebrates

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Genomics
• Dermatology

Background:

• The skin acts as a crucial barrier against environmental factors like ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• The nocturnal bottleneck hypothesis suggests ungulates faced increased UV exposure during evolutionary history.
• UV radiation exposure may influence the expression of the S100A7 gene.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between UV radiation and selection pressure on the S100A7 gene.
• To explore the evolutionary role of S100A7 in response to UV radiation.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of S100A7 DNA sequences from 42 vertebrate species.
• Analysis of evolutionary selection pressures on the S100A7 gene.
• Correlation analysis of S100A7 transcription levels with UV radiation in cashmere goat skin.

Main Results:

• Evidence of diversifying selection in S100A7 was detected at the end of the Mesozoic era.
• Positive selection on S100A7 was identified in the Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) lineage.
• S100A7 gene transcription levels in cashmere goat skin showed a positive correlation with UV radiation.

Conclusions:

• The S100A7 gene has undergone evolutionary selection in response to UV radiation, particularly in even-toed ungulates.
• S100A7 plays a role in mediating the genetic response of skin to UV radiation during evolution.