Evolution of V1R pheromone receptor genes in vertebrates: diversity and commonality

The vomeronasal organ (VNO) plays a key role in sensing pheromonal cues, which elicit innate responses and induce social and sexual behaviors. The vomeronasal receptor 1 genes, V1Rs, encode members of a pheromone receptor family that are mainly expressed in the VNO. Previous studies have revealed that the V1R family shows extraordinary variety among mammalian species owing to successive gene gains and losses. Because species-specific pheromonal interaction may facilitate species-specific reproductive behaviors, understanding the evolution of V1Rs in terms of their origin, repertoire and phylogeny should provide insight into the mechanisms of animal diversification. Here I summarize recent studies about the V1R family from its initial discovery in the rat genome to extensive comparative analyses among vertebrates. I further introduce our recent findings for V1Rs in a broad range of vertebrates, which reveal unexpected diversity as well as shared features common among lineages.