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Convergent accelerated evolution of mammal-specific conserved non-coding elements in hibernators
Daiki Nakayama1, Takashi Makino2,3
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aoba-Ku, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|May 23, 2024
Summary
Hibernators may have evolved similar genetic changes independently. This study found common accelerated conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) in hibernating mammals, suggesting convergent genomic evolution for hibernation.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Mammalian Physiology
Background:
- Mammals are homeotherms, but hibernators seasonally lower metabolic rate for energy conservation.
- Hibernation is proposed to have evolved independently in different lineages.
- Seasonal adaptation may involve gene regulatory evolution in response to environmental cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if convergent genomic changes occurred in hibernator lineages.
- To identify conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) with accelerated evolution in hibernators.
- To explore the role of CNEs in the genetic basis of hibernation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis of mammals.
- Identification of accelerated CNEs across hibernator lineages.
- Analysis of gene expression near accelerated CNEs during hibernation.
Main Results:
- Accelerated CNEs are prevalent in hibernator lineages.
- Genes near accelerated CNEs are involved in gene regulation and cell-fate determination.
- These findings suggest common molecular mechanisms underlying hibernation.
Conclusions:
- The molecular mechanisms controlling hibernation likely evolved convergently across mammalian lineages.
- Accelerated CNEs may play a crucial role in the genetic adaptation to hibernation.
- This research provides insights into the genetic basis of energy conservation and stress response.
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