Comparative Analyses Reveal the Genetic Mechanism of Ambergris Production in the Sperm Whale Based on the Chromosome-Level Genome
Author:
Zhou Chuang1ORCID, Peng Kexin1, Liu Yi2, Zhang Rusong1, Zheng Xiaofeng1, Yue Bisong1, Du Chao3, Wu Yongjie1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Key Laboratory of Bioresources and Ecoenvironment (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China 2. Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641000, China 3. Baotou Teachers College, Baotou 014060, China
Abstract
Sperm whales are a marine mammal famous for the aromatic substance, the ambergris, produced from its colon. Little is known about the biological processes of ambergris production, and this study aims to investigate the genetic mechanism of ambergris production in the sperm whale based on its chromosome-level genome. Comparative genomics analyses found 1207 expanded gene families and 321 positive selected genes (PSGs) in the sperm whale, and functional enrichment analyses suggested revelatory pathways and terms related to the metabolism of steroids, terpenoids, and aldosterone, as well as microbiota interaction and immune network in the intestine. Furthermore, two sperm-whale-specific missense mutations (Tyr393His and Leu567Val) were detected in the PSG LIPE, which has been reported to play vital roles in lipid and cholesterol metabolism. In total, 46 CYP genes and 22 HSD genes were annotated, and then mapped to sperm whale chromosomes. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of CYP genes in six mammals found that CYP2E1, CYP51A and CYP8 subfamilies exhibited relative expansion in the sperm whale. Our results could help understand the genetic mechanism of ambergris production, and further reveal the convergent evolution pattern among animals that produce similar odorants.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program Program for Young Talents of Science and Technology in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology
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