Browsing by Subject "Vertebrates"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemOpen AccessBat accelerated regions identify a bat forelimb specific enhancer in the HoxD locus(Public Library of Science, 2016) Booker, Betty M; Friedrich, Tara; Mason, Mandy K; VanderMeer, Julia E; Zhao, Jingjing; Eckalbar, Walter L; Logan, Malcolm; Illing, Nicola; Pollard, Katherine S; Ahituv, NadavAuthor Summary: The limb is a classic example of vertebrate homology and is represented by a large range of morphological structures such as fins, legs and wings. The evolution of these structures could be driven by alterations in gene regulatory elements that have critical roles during development. To identify elements that may contribute to bat wing development, we characterized sequences that are conserved between vertebrates, but changed significantly in the bat lineage. We then overlapped these sequences with predicted developing limb enhancers as determined by ChIP-seq, finding 166 bat accelerated sequences (BARs). Five BARs that were tested for enhancer activity in mice all drove expression in the limb. Testing the mouse orthologous sequence showed that three had differences in their limb enhancer activity as compared to the bat sequence. Of these, BAR116 was of particular interest as it is located near the HoxD locus, an essential gene complex required for proper spatiotemporal patterning of the developing limb. The bat BAR116 sequence drove robust forelimb expression but the mouse BAR116 sequence did not show enhancer activity. These experiments correspond to analyses of HoxD gene expressions in developing bat limbs, which had strong forelimb versus weak hindlimb expression for Hoxd10 - 11 . Combined, our studies highlight specific genomic regions that could be important in shaping the morphological differences that led to the development of the bat wing.
- ItemOpen AccessEvolution of the structure and function of vertebrate brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone(1986) Powell, R C; King, Judy AIn this study, the structure and function of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in different vertebrate species, in the classes Aves, Reptilia and Pisces was investigated. Acetic acid extracts were subjected to gel filtration chromatography and semipreparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to partially purify the GnRHs. The GnRH immunoreactivity was then characterized by analytical HPLC, and by assaying HPLC fractions by radioimmunoassay with region-specific antisera generated against mammalian GnRH, Gln⁸-GnRH and Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH and assessing luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing activity of fractions in a chicken dispersed anterior pituitary cell bioassay. Five GnRH molecular forms have thusfar been structurally characterized in vertebrate brain. In mammals a GnRH with the structure pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH₂ has been demonstrated in the hypothalamus (Matsuo et al., 1971; Burgus et al., 1972). Gln⁸-GnRH and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH were present in chicken hypothalamus (King and Millar, 1982a, 1982c; Miyamoto et al., 1983, 1984), Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH in salmon brain (Sherwood et al., 1983) and Tyr³,Leu⁵,Glu⁶,Trp⁷,Lys⁸-GnRH in lamprey brain (Sherwood et al., 1986). In ostrich (Struthio camelus) hypothalamus two GnRHs with identical properties to Gln⁸-GnRH and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH have been demonstrated, as well as four other LR-releasing factors with different chromatographic and immunological properties to any of the known naturally-occurring GnRHs. Since Gln⁸-GnRH and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH were also present in chicken hypothalamus it appears likely that these two GnRHs occur in all birds. In alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) brain only two GnRHs were detected. These forms co-eluted with Gln⁸-GnRH and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH in two HPLC systems. They cross-reacted similarly to the two synthetic peptides with antisera directed against mammalian GnRH and Gln⁸-GnRH and released LH from chicken dispersed anterior pituitary cells in a similar manner to the synthetic peptides. The Archosaurs (alligators and crocodiles) are believed to be closely related to birds and therefore it seems likely that they should have identical GnRHs. In skink (Calcides ocellatus tiligugu) brain one GnRH, which co-eluted with His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH, was demonstrated. Two other lizards (Cordylis nigra and Pordarcis s. sicula) have been studied (Powell et al., 1985; R.C. Powell, G. Ciarcia, V. Lance, R.P. Millar and J.A. King, submitted). In c. nigra four immunoreactive GnRHs were detected, two of which co-eluted released chicken LH similarly to, Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH and with, and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH. In P. s. sicula a GnRH molecular form similar to Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH occurred as well as two novel GnRHs. It thus appears that Gln⁸-GnRH does not occur in lower reptiles, but His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH and/or Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH do. His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH appears to he a widespread GnRH, occurring in vertebrates as diverse as birds and elasmobranch fish. In dogfish (Poroderma africanum) brain seven factors, which stimulated release of LH from chicken dispersed anterior pituitary cells, were separated on analytical HPLC. Two of these factors were partially characterized as Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH. Three of the other forms cross-reacted with GnRH antisera, but appear to be novel GnRHs. In teleost (Coris julis) brain two GnRHs similar to Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH and His⁵,Trp⁷,Tyr⁸-GnRH were present. These two GnRHs therefore appear to occur in both fish species studied. Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH is widespread amongst teleost fish (Jackson and Pan, 1983; Sherwood et al., 1983; Breton et al., 1984; Sherwood et al., 1984; King and Millar, 1985). From these data it seems evident that the mammalian GnRH molecular form occurs only in mammals and amphibians, Gln⁸-GnRH in birds and higher reptiles, and Trp⁷,Leu⁸-GnRH in gnathostomes. His⁵,Trp⁷, Tyr⁸-GnRH appears to he present in numerous different vertebrates. Tyr³,Leu⁵,Glu⁶,Trp⁷,Lys⁸-GnRH has thus far only been detected in lamprey brain. A number of novel GnRHs, whose structures have not been elucidated are present.
- ItemOpen AccessA novel glucagon-related peptide (GCRP) and its receptor GCRPR account for coevolution of their family members in vertebrates(Public Library of Science, 2013) Park, Cho Rong; Moon, Mi Jin; Park, Sumi; Kim, Dong-Kyu; Cho, Eun Bee; Millar, Robert Peter; Hwang, Jong-Ik; Seong, Jae YoungThe glucagon (GCG) peptide family consists of GCG, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), and GLP2, which are derived from a common GCG precursor, and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). These peptides interact with cognate receptors, GCGR, GLP1R, GLP2R, and GIPR, which belong to the secretin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. We used bioinformatics to identify genes encoding a novel GCG-related peptide (GCRP) and its cognate receptor, GCRPR. The GCRP and GCRPR genes were found in representative tetrapod taxa such as anole lizard, chicken, and Xenopus , and in teleosts including medaka, fugu, tetraodon, and stickleback. However, they were not present in mammals and zebrafish. Phylogenetic and genome synteny analyses showed that GCRP emerged through two rounds of whole genome duplication (2R) during early vertebrate evolution. GCRPR appears to have arisen by local tandem gene duplications from a common ancestor of GCRPR , GCGR , and GLP2R after 2R. Biochemical ligand-receptor interaction analyses revealed that GCRP had the highest affinity for GCRPR in comparison to other GCGR family members. Stimulation of chicken, Xenopus , and medaka GCRPRs activated Gα s -mediated signaling. In contrast to chicken and Xenopus GCRPRs, medaka GCRPR also induced Gα q/11 -mediated signaling. Chimeric peptides and receptors showed that the K 16 M 17 K 18 and G 16 Q 17 A 18 motifs in GCRP and GLP1, respectively, may at least in part contribute to specific recognition of their cognate receptors through interaction with the receptor core domain. In conclusion, we present novel data demonstrating that GCRP and GCRPR evolved through gene/genome duplications followed by specific modifications that conferred selective recognition to this ligand-receptor pair.
- ItemOpen AccessA rapid multi-disciplinary biodiversity assessment of the Kamdebooberge (Sneeuberg, Eastern Cape, South Africa): implications for conservation(Springer, 2012) Clark, Vincent; Perera, Sandun; Stiller, Michael; Stirton, Charles; Weston, Peter; Stoev, Pavel; Coombs, Gareth; Morris, Dale; Ratnayake-Perera, Dayani; Barker, Nigel; McGregor, GillianBotanical work since 2008 on the Sleeping Giant section of the Kamdebooberge (Sneeuberg mountain complex, Eastern Cape, South Africa) has indicated that these mountains may be of significant conservation value. Accordingly, a precursory, rapid multi-disciplinary biodiversity assessment was undertaken in January 2011, focusing on plants, tetrapod vertebrates and leafhoppers. The botanical results confirm the Kamdebooberge as being of high botanical conservation value, hosting three strict endemics, healthy populations of five other Sneeuberg endemics, and fynbos communities comprising species not found elsewhere in the Sneeuberg. The Kamdebooberge are important for herpetofauna (excluding serpentoids) and mammals, hosting several range-restricted and regional endemics. The expedition uncovered three new leafhopper species, together with several species previously only known from the Cape Floristic Region. Further detailed faunal work may provide further interesting results from these mountains, which show a high conservation value unique to the southern Escarpment.