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Evolutionary Conservation and Reproductive Expression of ABC Transporter Genes in Two Sphenomorphus Skinks.
Shufang Zhang1, Jiahui Xu1, Mengzhen Hu1
1Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
Integrative Zoology
|July 1, 2026
Summary
This study identifies and characterizes ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes in two lizard species, revealing conserved structures but divergent gene regulation in oviducts, crucial for understanding reptile reproductive biology.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are vital membrane proteins with limited characterization in reptiles.
- Understanding their diversity and function is key to reptile reproductive biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a genome-wide identification and characterization of the ABC gene family in oviparous Sphenomorphus incognitus and viviparous Sphenomorphus indicus.
- To investigate evolutionary conservation and species-specific divergence in ABC transporter genes and their expression patterns in lizard oviducts.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide identification of ABC transporter genes in two lizard species.
- Phylogenetic and comparative analyses of the ABC gene repertoire.
- Oviductal gene expression profiling across different reproductive stages.
Main Results:
- Identified 45 ABC genes in each species, classified into seven subfamilies (ABCA-ABCG).
- Revealed conserved gene repertoire with limited duplications, except for a lineage-specific ABCC2 duplication in lizards.
- Observed distinct temporal expression patterns in oviducts, with conserved and species-specific regulatory divergence.
Conclusions:
- The ABC transporter family is structurally conserved in lizards but shows lineage-specific evolutionary changes.
- Divergent transcriptional regulation of ABC genes in lizard oviducts suggests species-specific adaptations.
- This study provides foundational insights into reptile ABC transporter diversity and regulation.
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