Expression, purification and characterisation of the recombinant possum lipocalin vulpeculin

Lucarelli, Valentina; Colbert, Damon; Cumming, Mathew; Hamiaux, Cyril; Loxley, Grace M.; Linklater, Wayne L.; Travaš-Sejdić, Jadranka; Kralicek, Andrew V.

doi:10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130205

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Two of the most anti-associated were lipocalin family members ( LOC118842298 and LOC118843263 ), known for binding and transporting small hydrophobic molecules such as steroid hormones, odorants, retinoids, and lipids 38 – 40 . Homology searches revealed that LOC118842298 encoded vulpeculin, previously known in possum only by its protein sequence 41 , 42 , with the other being a close relative (which we have named ganderin), situated amongst a mini-cluster of lipocalin genes on chromosome 3 (Supplementary Table 2 ). Vulpeculin is notable as being the most abundant protein in possum urine 42 , implying it acts in a similar manner to a large family of related lipocalins, the major urinary proteins in rodents, which are expressed in the liver but excreted in urine and heavily implicated in pheromone biology and chemical communication 39 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The admixed brushtail possum genome reveals invasion history in New Zealand and novel imprinted genes

Bond,

Ortega-Recalde,

Laird

et al. 2023

Nat Commun

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Combining genome assembly with population and functional genomics can provide valuable insights to development and evolution, as well as tools for species management. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), a model marsupial threatened in parts of their native range in Australia, but also a major introduced pest in New Zealand. Functional genomics reveals post-natal activation of chemosensory and metabolic genes, reflecting unique adaptations to altricial birth and delayed weaning, a hallmark of marsupial development. Nuclear and mitochondrial analyses trace New Zealand possums to distinct Australian subspecies, which have subsequently hybridised. This admixture allowed phasing of parental alleles genome-wide, ultimately revealing at least four genes with imprinted, parent-specific expression not yet detected in other species (MLH1, EPM2AIP1, UBP1 and GPX7). We find that reprogramming of possum germline imprints, and the wider epigenome, is similar to eutherian mammals except onset occurs after birth. Together, this work is useful for genetic-based control and conservation of possums, and contributes to understanding of the evolution of novel mammalian epigenetic traits.

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