Gibbons are small,arboreal apes that play a critical role in tropical biodiversity and ecosystem ecology.However,nearly all species of gibbons are threatened by habitat loss,illegal trade,hunting,and other human activ...Gibbons are small,arboreal apes that play a critical role in tropical biodiversity and ecosystem ecology.However,nearly all species of gibbons are threatened by habitat loss,illegal trade,hunting,and other human activities.Long-term poor understanding of their genetics and evolution undermines effective conservation efforts.In this study,we analyse comparative population genomic data of four Nomascus species.Our results reveal strong genetic differentiation and gene flow among Nomascus species.Additionally,we identify genomic features that are potentially related to natural selection linked to vocalization,fructose metabolism,motor balance,and body size,consistent with the unique phenotype and adaptability of gibbons.Inbreeding,coupled with population declines due to climate change and historical human activities,leads to reduced genetic diversity and the accumulation of deleterious variations that likely affect cardiovascular disease and the reproductive potential of gibbons and further reduce their fitness,highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation strategies.展开更多
Polyploidy frequently originates from meiotic failure,with mis-segregation of homologous chromosomes commonly arising from impaired formation of programmed DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs).Meiotic double-stranded break ...Polyploidy frequently originates from meiotic failure,with mis-segregation of homologous chromosomes commonly arising from impaired formation of programmed DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs).Meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 4(Mei4)is essential for recruiting the Sporulation-specific protein 11(Spo11)nuclease to chromosome axes to initiate DSB formation in yeast and mice,yet its role in fish remains uncharacterized.In this study,mei4−/−zebrafish mutants were generated and exhibited severe defects in synapsis,DSB formation,homologous recombination,and crossover(CO)formation during meiosis in both male and female germ cells.Notably,pronounced sexual dimorphism in responses to Mei4 deficiency was observed during meiotic prophase I,with males exhibiting complete sterility due to meiotic arrest,while females produced numerous aneuploid oocytes and a minority of unreduced eggs due to defective chromosome segregation.Remarkably,crosses between mei4−/−females and wild-type males yielded a substantial number of viable triploid progeny.These findings demonstrate functional conservation of Mei4 in mediating meiotic DSB formation across vertebrates,reveal sexspecific divergence in meiotic responses to recombination failure in this vertebrate model,and highlight a critical role for DSB-dependent crossover failure in the genesis of polyploidy.展开更多
Mitochondrial genomes(mitogenomes)play a crucial role in species adaptation to diverse evolutionary pressures.Although adaptive changes in mitochondrial genes have been reported under extreme conditions,large-scale an...Mitochondrial genomes(mitogenomes)play a crucial role in species adaptation to diverse evolutionary pressures.Although adaptive changes in mitochondrial genes have been reported under extreme conditions,large-scale analyses of mitogenomic evolution across ecologically diverse habitats are still limited.The Eurasian tree sparrow(Passer montanus),one of the most widely distributed avian species,occupies variable habitats,providing an ideal model for investigating mitochondrial responses to environmental heterogeneity.This study examined mitogenomic variation in tree sparrow populations sampled across China,revealing pronounced mitochondrial divergence in geographically isolated populations,particularly those in southern Xizang on the QinghaiXizang Plateau and the continental islands of Hainan and Taiwan.In the high-altitude population of southern Xizang,non-synonymous substitutions in COX2 and COX3 may enhance protein stability,potentially facilitating adaptation to cold and hypoxic conditions.In contrast,substitutions in ATP6(Hainan)and ND5(Taiwan)may reduce protein stability,implying distinct mitogenomic responses to local environmental constraints.Moreover,distinct t RNA mutations in the Hainan populations may confer increased structural flexibility,potentially contributing to islandspecific adaptation.These findings highlight the role of mitochondrial genomes in responding to ecological variation and geographic barriers,underscoring the prospective functional consequences of mitogenomic evolution.展开更多
Due to the unique microstructure and diverse opsin genes of the trinocular compound eye,stomatopoda possess an extraordinary ability to perceive multiple properties of light.They not only can detect natural light(NL)a...Due to the unique microstructure and diverse opsin genes of the trinocular compound eye,stomatopoda possess an extraordinary ability to perceive multiple properties of light.They not only can detect natural light(NL)and linearly polarized light(LPL),but also are the only animals capable of recognizing circularly polarized light(CPL).Here,we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing,previously published Illumina data,and in-situ hybridization(ISH)to quantify and localize functional opsin genes in Oratosquilla oratoria,a common stomatopoda species in the China Sea.A total of high-quality 31777 cells were captured for the first time in the O.oratoria compound eye,which were classified into 25 cell subpopulations,and hypothesized that cluster 22 is a critical cell subpopulation responsible for light(whether NL,LPL,or CPL)response in O.oratoria.Furthermore,we propose that the long-wavelengthsensitive opsin gene(lws)gene family,retinol dehydrogenase(rdh),voltage-gated ion channel(vgic),arrestin(arr),and myosin(myo)collectively mediate the light response in O.oratoria.Considering that very few vision-related opsin genes show differential expression in right-handed CPL(RCPL)-vs.-dark(DL),which provides additional evidence that stomatopoda cannot recognize RCPL.Meanwhile,we believe that UV-stimulated scaffold protein A(uvssa)and red pigment concentrating hormone(rpch)play special contributions in the left-handed CPL(LCPL)environment response.ISH revealing that 16 lws,6 middle-wavelength-sensitive(mws),and 2 ultraviolet(uv)opsin genes were expressed in the photoreceptors of the O.oratoria compound eye.Although the inability to determine the functional types of cell subpopulations limits the resolution of opsin genes,these findings systematically elucidate the specific expression patterns of opsin genes in O.oratoria and represent a significant step toward refining the visual ecological theory of O.oratoria and other stomatopod species.展开更多
Gene loss represents a powerful driver of adaptive evolution.Cetaceans,which underwent a profound transition from terrestrial to fully aquatic life,provide an excellent model for investigating this process.Comparative...Gene loss represents a powerful driver of adaptive evolution.Cetaceans,which underwent a profound transition from terrestrial to fully aquatic life,provide an excellent model for investigating this process.Comparative genomic analysis of the cold-sensitive ion channel transient receptor potential ankyrin 1(TRPA1)revealed lineage-specific patterns of degeneration across cetaceans.In toothed whales,the ancestral lineage exhibited extensive exon loss within the TRPA1 locus,whereas baleen whales showed signatures consistent with markedly reduced or absent TRPA1 expression.These molecular alterations were inferred to disrupt or abolish TRPA1 protein function across cetaceans.Integration of these findings with established experimental evidence from human and murine TRPA1 studies supported several adaptive hypotheses for TRPA1 gene loss,including tolerance to abrupt thermal fluctuations,attenuation of nociceptive responses in aquatic environments,specialization of integumentary sensory systems,and the emergence of echolocation-associated sensory trade-offs in toothed whales.Collectively,these findings expand the gene loss repertoire of cetaceans and provide novel insights into the molecular underpinnings of secondary aquatic adaptation in mammals.展开更多
Global warming has emerged as the predominant trend in global climate change,with forecasts suggesting a rise in the occurrence and severity of extreme weather phenomena.As a result,ectothermic animals have become ide...Global warming has emerged as the predominant trend in global climate change,with forecasts suggesting a rise in the occurrence and severity of extreme weather phenomena.As a result,ectothermic animals have become ideal model organisms for investigating the potential impacts of climate change on global biodiversity.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)is a widely used technique for gene expression analysis.However,stable reference genes suitable for accurate normalization of transcriptional data across lizard samples have not yet been established.In this study,three skink species-Scincella modesta,S.reevesii,and Ateuchosaurus chinensis-were selected as model organisms to evaluate the expression stability of eight candidate housekeeping genes(18S rRNA,EF1α,ACTB,GAPDH,HPRT1,YWHAZ,RPS15,and RPS18)under nine distinct temperature conditions(6℃,10℃,14℃,18℃,22℃,25℃,28℃,32℃,and 36℃).The Delta Ct method,BestKeeper,NormFinder,GeNorm,and RefFinder were utilized to assess expression consistency and to identify the most suitable reference genes,as well as the ideal number needed for reliable normalization.The results indicated that under varying temperature conditions,the best-performing internal controls were RPS18 and RPS15 for S.modesta;RPS18 and EF1α for S.reevesii;and RPS15 and YWHAZ for A.chinensis.Furthermore,RPS18,RPS15,and EF1α were identified as a stable and commonly applicable set of internal controls for RT-qPCR normalization across all three skink species and are recommended as reliable reference genes for use in related lizards exposed to thermal stress.展开更多
RNA特异性腺苷脱氨酶(Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA,ADAR)蛋白家族广泛分布于脊椎动物与无脊椎动物中。目前,脊椎动物ADAR的功能研究已较为系统和深入,诸多研究指出了其在免疫调控、病毒防御、癌症治疗以及神经发育等多个领域发...RNA特异性腺苷脱氨酶(Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA,ADAR)蛋白家族广泛分布于脊椎动物与无脊椎动物中。目前,脊椎动物ADAR的功能研究已较为系统和深入,诸多研究指出了其在免疫调控、病毒防御、癌症治疗以及神经发育等多个领域发挥的关键作用。本文归纳了无脊椎动物ADAR研究中的关键问题,重点聚焦于其结构特征、表达模式、RNA编辑情况,以及在免疫和神经发育方面的功能。分析表明,无脊椎动物ADAR与脊椎动物ADAR具有相似的功能,这充分体现了ADAR在无脊椎与脊椎动物之间功能的高度保守性。在此基础上,本文对无脊椎动物ADAR的系统演化规律及其在跨物种适应性中的分子机制研究前景进行了展望,以期为深入解析ADAR家族的进化保守性与功能多样性提供理论参考。展开更多
The role of gut microbiota in vitamin biosynthesis in wild birds,which is essential for understanding avian health and ecological adaptation,remains largely unexplored.In this study,metagenomic analysis was conducted ...The role of gut microbiota in vitamin biosynthesis in wild birds,which is essential for understanding avian health and ecological adaptation,remains largely unexplored.In this study,metagenomic analysis was conducted on 10,455 metagenome-assembled genomes(MAGs)from 718 wild bird gut samples.After quality assessment and dereplication,1947 MAGs were retained for systematic analysis of vitamin B and K2 biosynthesis potential.A total of 106,336 vitamin biosynthesis genes were identiffiified,and 1164 MAGs(including 410 high-quality MAGs with>90%completeness and<5%contamination)were predicted to de novo synthesize at least one vitamin.Vitamin biosynthesis genes mainly originated from Pseudomonadota,Campylobacterota,Bacillota_A,and Actinomycetota,with dominant genera including Campylobacter_D,Escherichia,and Cutibacterium.Compared with chickens,the gut microbiota of wild birds was enriched in biotin,folate,and pantothenate biosynthesis genes,likely reffllflecting adaptation to diverse natural diets and ffllfluctuating environments.Among all examined factors,host species explained the largest proportion of variation in vitamin biosynthesis gene composition,followed by environmental variables,while migratory behavior and primary diet showed relatively smaller but detectable associations.Dietary differences appeared to be associated with variations in vitamin biosynthetic potential,with crop-and insect-dominant birds tending to show higher representation of genes involved in the synthesis of multiple B vitamins,whereas aquatic-plant dominant birds exhibited relatively greater representation of folate biosynthetic pathways.Migratory birds exhibited signiffiificantly higher diversity but comparable relative abundance of vitamin biosynthesis genes compared with resident birds,suggesting a more ffllflexible microbial metabolic potential to meet ffllfluctuating nutritional demands during long-distance movement.Distinct microbial contributors were identiffiified,with Escherichia and Pseudomonas_E being more prominent in migratory birds,and Campylobacter_D in resident birds.Collectively,this study provides novel insights into gut microbiota-driven vitamin biosynthesis in wild birds.展开更多
Understanding range-wide genetic diversity,population structure and connectivity is fundamental for evaluating the evolutionary potential and conservation needs of a species.The Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus)is ...Understanding range-wide genetic diversity,population structure and connectivity is fundamental for evaluating the evolutionary potential and conservation needs of a species.The Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus)is a long-lived colonial waterbird,with a broad distribution from southeastern Europe to Central Asia.It experienced severe anthropogenic population declines during the 19th–20th centuries but has recently recovered following targeted conservation actions.Despite extensive ecological knowledge,its population genetics have remained unexplored.Here,we present the first comprehensive genetic assessment of the species across its range,using mitochondrial ND2 sequences and a set of microsatellite loci to quantify genetic diversity,characterize population structure,reconstruct demographic history and identify regions of conservation priority.Mitochondrial data revealed low haplotype and nucleotide diversity and a shallow genealogical history indicative of a recent post-glacial expansion from a bottlenecked maternal lineage.Bayesian skyline plot analysis suggested population growth beginning after the Last Glacial Maximum.Microsatellite diversity was uniformly low across colonies,with no private alleles,and differentiation among colonies was detectable,but weak.Bayesian clustering,FST and Dest support a continuous population structure consistent with isolation by distance,under migration-drift balance occurring from the interaction between historical bottlenecks,contemporary gene flow and recent recolonisation.Although overall gene flow appears sufficient to buffer further loss of genetic diversity,the low standing variation highlights the need for continued,coordinated conservation.Our results provide a baseline for future studies on the genetics of the species and support flyway-scale management that prioritises habitat connectivity and safeguards peripheral colonies.展开更多
Genetic diversity is a fundamental component of biodiversity,with far-reaching implications for the stability and resilience of ecosystems.Despite the growing recognition of the importance of genetic monitoring in wil...Genetic diversity is a fundamental component of biodiversity,with far-reaching implications for the stability and resilience of ecosystems.Despite the growing recognition of the importance of genetic monitoring in wild species,we still lack a clear understanding of which regions are devoid of genetic diversity data and which lineages remain insufffiificiently characterized.Although the cost of genome sequencing has declined dramatically,Sanger sequencing still retains practical and economic advantages for applications in conservation biology.To identify global data gaps and facilitate the application of genetic data in future genetic monitoring,this study searched the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)database for Cytochrome b(Cyt b)and Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I(COI)sequences of all species listed in the Handbook of the Birds of the World(HBW v7.0),and calculated their genetic diversity.The study found that 4052 bird species had at least three available sequences of either Cyt b or COI.These species are mainly distributed in Europe,northern North America,and parts of East Asia,North Asia,and northern Africa,whereas South America,South Africa,South Asia,Southeast Asia,and eastern and northwestern Australia has limited available genetic diversity data.The Cyt b sequence data is entirely absent in groups such as Pterocliformes and Cariamiformes,whereas COI gene data are particularly lacking in Leptosomiformes and Opisthocomiformes.Notably,both genes are completely missing in Musophagiformes and Mesitornithiformes.This uneven distribution of genetic diversity data hinders the development of effective conservation strategies,as such gaps impede the integration of genetic diversity into extinction risk assessments across species.This study highlights priority geographic regions and key evolutionary lineages for future genetic diversity assessments.Despite the inherent limitations of maternally inherited mitochondrial markers,which cannot stand for genome-wide nuclear genetic variation,this study represents the most comprehensive avian genetic diversity dataset currently available.It therefore provides an important baseline for incorporating genetic diversity into extinction risk assessments and for advancing long-term genetic monitoring efforts in birds.展开更多
基金supported by Science and Technology Program from the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province(2024KJQT0012)the Guangdong Provincial Key R&D Program(2022B1111040001)+2 种基金the National Forestry Administration rare and endangered species field rescue and breeding project(Gui lin hu yu O10)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32200337)a fellowship from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712003).
摘要Gibbons are small,arboreal apes that play a critical role in tropical biodiversity and ecosystem ecology.However,nearly all species of gibbons are threatened by habitat loss,illegal trade,hunting,and other human activities.Long-term poor understanding of their genetics and evolution undermines effective conservation efforts.In this study,we analyse comparative population genomic data of four Nomascus species.Our results reveal strong genetic differentiation and gene flow among Nomascus species.Additionally,we identify genomic features that are potentially related to natural selection linked to vocalization,fructose metabolism,motor balance,and body size,consistent with the unique phenotype and adaptability of gibbons.Inbreeding,coupled with population declines due to climate change and historical human activities,leads to reduced genetic diversity and the accumulation of deleterious variations that likely affect cardiovascular disease and the reproductive potential of gibbons and further reduce their fitness,highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32273125,32473149)Science and Technology Major Project in Hubei Province(2023BBA0010)Natural Science Foundation of Wuhan(2024BBSA02)。
摘要Polyploidy frequently originates from meiotic failure,with mis-segregation of homologous chromosomes commonly arising from impaired formation of programmed DNA double-strand breaks(DSBs).Meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 4(Mei4)is essential for recruiting the Sporulation-specific protein 11(Spo11)nuclease to chromosome axes to initiate DSB formation in yeast and mice,yet its role in fish remains uncharacterized.In this study,mei4−/−zebrafish mutants were generated and exhibited severe defects in synapsis,DSB formation,homologous recombination,and crossover(CO)formation during meiosis in both male and female germ cells.Notably,pronounced sexual dimorphism in responses to Mei4 deficiency was observed during meiotic prophase I,with males exhibiting complete sterility due to meiotic arrest,while females produced numerous aneuploid oocytes and a minority of unreduced eggs due to defective chromosome segregation.Remarkably,crosses between mei4−/−females and wild-type males yielded a substantial number of viable triploid progeny.These findings demonstrate functional conservation of Mei4 in mediating meiotic DSB formation across vertebrates,reveal sexspecific divergence in meiotic responses to recombination failure in this vertebrate model,and highlight a critical role for DSB-dependent crossover failure in the genesis of polyploidy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32160114 and 32460125 to B.L.,32170460 and32570495 to N.W.,32125005 to X.J.Z.)State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation&Breeding of Grassland Livestock(2025KYPT0081)+3 种基金Young Science and Technology Talents Program for Universities in Inner Mongolia(NJYT23087)to B.L.Outstanding Young Scientist Project of Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China(2022JQ07)Cultivation Project of Inner Mongolia University(21221505)to N.W.Talent Research Startup Foundation of Hainan Normal University(HSZK-KYQD-202606)to L.W.W。
摘要Mitochondrial genomes(mitogenomes)play a crucial role in species adaptation to diverse evolutionary pressures.Although adaptive changes in mitochondrial genes have been reported under extreme conditions,large-scale analyses of mitogenomic evolution across ecologically diverse habitats are still limited.The Eurasian tree sparrow(Passer montanus),one of the most widely distributed avian species,occupies variable habitats,providing an ideal model for investigating mitochondrial responses to environmental heterogeneity.This study examined mitogenomic variation in tree sparrow populations sampled across China,revealing pronounced mitochondrial divergence in geographically isolated populations,particularly those in southern Xizang on the QinghaiXizang Plateau and the continental islands of Hainan and Taiwan.In the high-altitude population of southern Xizang,non-synonymous substitutions in COX2 and COX3 may enhance protein stability,potentially facilitating adaptation to cold and hypoxic conditions.In contrast,substitutions in ATP6(Hainan)and ND5(Taiwan)may reduce protein stability,implying distinct mitogenomic responses to local environmental constraints.Moreover,distinct t RNA mutations in the Hainan populations may confer increased structural flexibility,potentially contributing to islandspecific adaptation.These findings highlight the role of mitochondrial genomes in responding to ecological variation and geographic barriers,underscoring the prospective functional consequences of mitogenomic evolution.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(No.ZR2021QD110)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42106128)。
摘要Due to the unique microstructure and diverse opsin genes of the trinocular compound eye,stomatopoda possess an extraordinary ability to perceive multiple properties of light.They not only can detect natural light(NL)and linearly polarized light(LPL),but also are the only animals capable of recognizing circularly polarized light(CPL).Here,we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing,previously published Illumina data,and in-situ hybridization(ISH)to quantify and localize functional opsin genes in Oratosquilla oratoria,a common stomatopoda species in the China Sea.A total of high-quality 31777 cells were captured for the first time in the O.oratoria compound eye,which were classified into 25 cell subpopulations,and hypothesized that cluster 22 is a critical cell subpopulation responsible for light(whether NL,LPL,or CPL)response in O.oratoria.Furthermore,we propose that the long-wavelengthsensitive opsin gene(lws)gene family,retinol dehydrogenase(rdh),voltage-gated ion channel(vgic),arrestin(arr),and myosin(myo)collectively mediate the light response in O.oratoria.Considering that very few vision-related opsin genes show differential expression in right-handed CPL(RCPL)-vs.-dark(DL),which provides additional evidence that stomatopoda cannot recognize RCPL.Meanwhile,we believe that UV-stimulated scaffold protein A(uvssa)and red pigment concentrating hormone(rpch)play special contributions in the left-handed CPL(LCPL)environment response.ISH revealing that 16 lws,6 middle-wavelength-sensitive(mws),and 2 ultraviolet(uv)opsin genes were expressed in the photoreceptors of the O.oratoria compound eye.Although the inability to determine the functional types of cell subpopulations limits the resolution of opsin genes,these findings systematically elucidate the specific expression patterns of opsin genes in O.oratoria and represent a significant step toward refining the visual ecological theory of O.oratoria and other stomatopod species.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32030011,U24A20362,32070409)Qing Lan Project of Jiangsu Province+1 种基金Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education InstitutionsPI Project of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory(Guangzhou)(GML2021GD0805)。
摘要Gene loss represents a powerful driver of adaptive evolution.Cetaceans,which underwent a profound transition from terrestrial to fully aquatic life,provide an excellent model for investigating this process.Comparative genomic analysis of the cold-sensitive ion channel transient receptor potential ankyrin 1(TRPA1)revealed lineage-specific patterns of degeneration across cetaceans.In toothed whales,the ancestral lineage exhibited extensive exon loss within the TRPA1 locus,whereas baleen whales showed signatures consistent with markedly reduced or absent TRPA1 expression.These molecular alterations were inferred to disrupt or abolish TRPA1 protein function across cetaceans.Integration of these findings with established experimental evidence from human and murine TRPA1 studies supported several adaptive hypotheses for TRPA1 gene loss,including tolerance to abrupt thermal fluctuations,attenuation of nociceptive responses in aquatic environments,specialization of integumentary sensory systems,and the emergence of echolocation-associated sensory trade-offs in toothed whales.Collectively,these findings expand the gene loss repertoire of cetaceans and provide novel insights into the molecular underpinnings of secondary aquatic adaptation in mammals.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31801963).
摘要Global warming has emerged as the predominant trend in global climate change,with forecasts suggesting a rise in the occurrence and severity of extreme weather phenomena.As a result,ectothermic animals have become ideal model organisms for investigating the potential impacts of climate change on global biodiversity.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)is a widely used technique for gene expression analysis.However,stable reference genes suitable for accurate normalization of transcriptional data across lizard samples have not yet been established.In this study,three skink species-Scincella modesta,S.reevesii,and Ateuchosaurus chinensis-were selected as model organisms to evaluate the expression stability of eight candidate housekeeping genes(18S rRNA,EF1α,ACTB,GAPDH,HPRT1,YWHAZ,RPS15,and RPS18)under nine distinct temperature conditions(6℃,10℃,14℃,18℃,22℃,25℃,28℃,32℃,and 36℃).The Delta Ct method,BestKeeper,NormFinder,GeNorm,and RefFinder were utilized to assess expression consistency and to identify the most suitable reference genes,as well as the ideal number needed for reliable normalization.The results indicated that under varying temperature conditions,the best-performing internal controls were RPS18 and RPS15 for S.modesta;RPS18 and EF1α for S.reevesii;and RPS15 and YWHAZ for A.chinensis.Furthermore,RPS18,RPS15,and EF1α were identified as a stable and commonly applicable set of internal controls for RT-qPCR normalization across all three skink species and are recommended as reliable reference genes for use in related lizards exposed to thermal stress.
摘要RNA特异性腺苷脱氨酶(Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA,ADAR)蛋白家族广泛分布于脊椎动物与无脊椎动物中。目前,脊椎动物ADAR的功能研究已较为系统和深入,诸多研究指出了其在免疫调控、病毒防御、癌症治疗以及神经发育等多个领域发挥的关键作用。本文归纳了无脊椎动物ADAR研究中的关键问题,重点聚焦于其结构特征、表达模式、RNA编辑情况,以及在免疫和神经发育方面的功能。分析表明,无脊椎动物ADAR与脊椎动物ADAR具有相似的功能,这充分体现了ADAR在无脊椎与脊椎动物之间功能的高度保守性。在此基础上,本文对无脊椎动物ADAR的系统演化规律及其在跨物种适应性中的分子机制研究前景进行了展望,以期为深入解析ADAR家族的进化保守性与功能多样性提供理论参考。
基金supported by a horizontal research project-—Metagenomic Raw Data Analysis Following Sequencing(20250254)。
摘要The role of gut microbiota in vitamin biosynthesis in wild birds,which is essential for understanding avian health and ecological adaptation,remains largely unexplored.In this study,metagenomic analysis was conducted on 10,455 metagenome-assembled genomes(MAGs)from 718 wild bird gut samples.After quality assessment and dereplication,1947 MAGs were retained for systematic analysis of vitamin B and K2 biosynthesis potential.A total of 106,336 vitamin biosynthesis genes were identiffiified,and 1164 MAGs(including 410 high-quality MAGs with>90%completeness and<5%contamination)were predicted to de novo synthesize at least one vitamin.Vitamin biosynthesis genes mainly originated from Pseudomonadota,Campylobacterota,Bacillota_A,and Actinomycetota,with dominant genera including Campylobacter_D,Escherichia,and Cutibacterium.Compared with chickens,the gut microbiota of wild birds was enriched in biotin,folate,and pantothenate biosynthesis genes,likely reffllflecting adaptation to diverse natural diets and ffllfluctuating environments.Among all examined factors,host species explained the largest proportion of variation in vitamin biosynthesis gene composition,followed by environmental variables,while migratory behavior and primary diet showed relatively smaller but detectable associations.Dietary differences appeared to be associated with variations in vitamin biosynthetic potential,with crop-and insect-dominant birds tending to show higher representation of genes involved in the synthesis of multiple B vitamins,whereas aquatic-plant dominant birds exhibited relatively greater representation of folate biosynthetic pathways.Migratory birds exhibited signiffiificantly higher diversity but comparable relative abundance of vitamin biosynthesis genes compared with resident birds,suggesting a more ffllflexible microbial metabolic potential to meet ffllfluctuating nutritional demands during long-distance movement.Distinct microbial contributors were identiffiified,with Escherichia and Pseudomonas_E being more prominent in migratory birds,and Campylobacter_D in resident birds.Collectively,this study provides novel insights into gut microbiota-driven vitamin biosynthesis in wild birds.
基金partially funded from the WWF Greece scholarship programme for young scientists,2024–2026,awarded to A.Bpartly funded by the Society for the Protection of Prespa,through support provided by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundationpartly financially supported in project countries by the Pelican Way of LIFE project(LIFE18 NAT/NL/000716)LIFE Danube Free Sky project(LIFE19 NAT/SK/001023),co-funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union。
摘要Understanding range-wide genetic diversity,population structure and connectivity is fundamental for evaluating the evolutionary potential and conservation needs of a species.The Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus)is a long-lived colonial waterbird,with a broad distribution from southeastern Europe to Central Asia.It experienced severe anthropogenic population declines during the 19th–20th centuries but has recently recovered following targeted conservation actions.Despite extensive ecological knowledge,its population genetics have remained unexplored.Here,we present the first comprehensive genetic assessment of the species across its range,using mitochondrial ND2 sequences and a set of microsatellite loci to quantify genetic diversity,characterize population structure,reconstruct demographic history and identify regions of conservation priority.Mitochondrial data revealed low haplotype and nucleotide diversity and a shallow genealogical history indicative of a recent post-glacial expansion from a bottlenecked maternal lineage.Bayesian skyline plot analysis suggested population growth beginning after the Last Glacial Maximum.Microsatellite diversity was uniformly low across colonies,with no private alleles,and differentiation among colonies was detectable,but weak.Bayesian clustering,FST and Dest support a continuous population structure consistent with isolation by distance,under migration-drift balance occurring from the interaction between historical bottlenecks,contemporary gene flow and recent recolonisation.Although overall gene flow appears sufficient to buffer further loss of genetic diversity,the low standing variation highlights the need for continued,coordinated conservation.Our results provide a baseline for future studies on the genetics of the species and support flyway-scale management that prioritises habitat connectivity and safeguards peripheral colonies.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32370444,32000287 to P.W.)the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China(Grant No.23KJB180013 to P.W.)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions。
摘要Genetic diversity is a fundamental component of biodiversity,with far-reaching implications for the stability and resilience of ecosystems.Despite the growing recognition of the importance of genetic monitoring in wild species,we still lack a clear understanding of which regions are devoid of genetic diversity data and which lineages remain insufffiificiently characterized.Although the cost of genome sequencing has declined dramatically,Sanger sequencing still retains practical and economic advantages for applications in conservation biology.To identify global data gaps and facilitate the application of genetic data in future genetic monitoring,this study searched the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI)database for Cytochrome b(Cyt b)and Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I(COI)sequences of all species listed in the Handbook of the Birds of the World(HBW v7.0),and calculated their genetic diversity.The study found that 4052 bird species had at least three available sequences of either Cyt b or COI.These species are mainly distributed in Europe,northern North America,and parts of East Asia,North Asia,and northern Africa,whereas South America,South Africa,South Asia,Southeast Asia,and eastern and northwestern Australia has limited available genetic diversity data.The Cyt b sequence data is entirely absent in groups such as Pterocliformes and Cariamiformes,whereas COI gene data are particularly lacking in Leptosomiformes and Opisthocomiformes.Notably,both genes are completely missing in Musophagiformes and Mesitornithiformes.This uneven distribution of genetic diversity data hinders the development of effective conservation strategies,as such gaps impede the integration of genetic diversity into extinction risk assessments across species.This study highlights priority geographic regions and key evolutionary lineages for future genetic diversity assessments.Despite the inherent limitations of maternally inherited mitochondrial markers,which cannot stand for genome-wide nuclear genetic variation,this study represents the most comprehensive avian genetic diversity dataset currently available.It therefore provides an important baseline for incorporating genetic diversity into extinction risk assessments and for advancing long-term genetic monitoring efforts in birds.