Inactivation of ancV1R as a Predictive Signature for the Loss of Vomeronasal System in Mammals

Zhang, Zicong; Nikaido, Masato

doi:10.1093/gbe/evaa082

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The general histology study showed however an apparently developed VNO (Hart et al, 1988). These striking anatomical observations found their genetic correspondence in a recent study of ancV1R gene expression (Zhang & Nikaido, 2020), considered a reliable diagnostic indicator of VNO function. The authors observed the inactivation of ancV1Rs expression in seals, sea otter, giant otter, fossa, the owl monkey, and alcelaphine antelopes.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Exploring the vomeronasal organ in an endangered antelope species

Torres¹,

Ortiz‐Leal²,

Ferreiro³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The dama gazelle is a threatened and scarcely studied species of northern Africa. Human pressure has depleted the population of dama gazelles from tens of thousands to a few hundred individuals. Since 1970, after deriving from a founder population of the last 17 surviving individuals in the Western Sahara, it has been reproduced naturally in captivity. Although certain aspects of the reproductive biology of the dama gazelle have been established in preparation for the future implementation of assisted reproductive technology there is a lack of information regarding the role of semiochemical-mediated communication in the sexual behavior of the dama gazelle. This is partially due to the lack of a neuroanatomical and morphofunctional characterization of the dama gazelle vomeronasal organ (VNO); the sensory organ responsible for the processing of pheromones. This study aims to determine the presence in the dama gazelle of a VNO fully equipped to carry out its neurosensory function and to contribute to the understanding of the interspecific variability of the VNO of ruminants. Employing histological, lectin-histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques we have performed a detailed morphofunctional evaluation of the dama gazelle VNO along its entire longitudinal axis. The findings suggest that studies of the VNO should take a similar approach, as there are significant structural and neurochemical transformations that the organ exhibits as a whole. This study contributes to the understanding of the VNO in dama gazelles and provides a basis for future studies on semiochemical-mediated communication and reproductive management of this species.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Exploring the vomeronasal organ in an endangered antelope species

Torres¹,

Ortiz‐Leal²,

Ferreiro³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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show abstract

“…Translating sequencing studies into neuroanatomical terms is not always easy. A recent study on TRPC2 gene regression stated: ‘The results of our present study invite more in‐depth neuro‐anatomical investigation in mammals for which VNO function remains equivocal’ (Zhang and Nikaido, 2020). The high degree of pseudogenisation observed among vomeronasal receptors represents an unresolved issue which could explain the discrepancies observed between sequencing and neuroanatomical studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

The vomeronasal organ of wild canids: the fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a model

et al. 2020

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The vomeronasal system (VNS) has been extensively studied within specific animal families, such as Rodentia. However, the study of the VNS in other families, such as Canidae, has long been neglected. Among canids, the vomeronasal organ (VNO) has only been studied in detail in the dog, and no studies have examined the morphofunctional or immunohistochemical characteristics of the VNS in wild canids, which is surprising, given the well-known importance of chemical senses for the dog and fox and the likelihood that the VNS plays roles in the socio-reproductive physiology and behaviours of these species. In addition, characterising the fox VNS could contribute to a better understanding of the domestication process that occurred in the dog, as the fox would represent the first wild canid to be studied in depth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the fox VNO. Tissue dissection and microdissection techniques were employed, followed by general and specific histological staining techniques, including with immunohistochemical and lectin-histochemical labelling strategies, using antibodies against olfactory marker protein (OMP), growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), α-tubulin, Gαo, and Gαi2 proteins, to highlight the specific features of the VNO in the fox. This study found significant differences in the VNS between the fox and the dog, particularly concerning the expression of Gαi2 and Gαo proteins, which were associated with the expression of the type 1 vomeronasal receptors (V1R) and type 2 vomeronasal receptors (V2R), respectively, in the vomeronasal epithelium. Both are immunopositive in foxes, as opposed to the dog, which only expresses Gαi2. This finding suggests that the fox possesses a welldeveloped VNO and supports the hypothesis that a profound transformation in the VNS is associated with domestication in the canid family. Furthermore, the unique features identified in the fox VNO confirm the necessity of studying the VNS system in different species to better comprehend specific phylogenetic aspects of the VNS.

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“…The reduction of V1R s revealed in this study is consistent with the findings of the previously published studies. 67 The inactivation of TRPC2 s 76 , 77 and ancV1R s, 78 , 79 which is responsible for VNO function, suggested the degeneration of VNOs in most bat lineages including megabats. Although most bats do not possess intact V1R s, Parnell’s mustached bat possesses four intact V1R s ( Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative genomic analyses illuminate the distinct evolution of megabats within Chiroptera

et al. 2020

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The revision of the suborder Microchiroptera is one of the most intriguing outcomes in recent mammalian molecular phylogeny. The unexpected sister-taxon relationship between rhinolophoid microbats and megabats, with the exclusion of other microbats, suggests that megabats arose in a relatively short period of time from a microbat-like ancestor. In order to understand the genetic mechanism underlying adaptive evolution in megabats, we determined the whole genome sequences of two rousette megabats, Leschenault's rousette (Rousettus leschenaultia) and the Egyptian fruit bat (R. aegyptiacus). The sequences were compared with those of 22 other mammals, including nine bats, available in the database. We identified that megabat genomes are distinct in that they have extremely low activity of SINE retrotranspositions, expansion of two chemosensory gene families, including the trace amine receptor (TAAR) and olfactory receptor (OR), and elevation of the dN/dS ratio in genes for immunity and protein catabolism. The adaptive signatures discovered in the genomes of megabats may provide crucial insight into their distinct evolution, including key processes such as virus resistance, loss of echolocation, and frugivorous feeding.

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Inactivation of ancV1R as a Predictive Signature for the Loss of Vomeronasal System in Mammals

Cited by 15 publications

References 52 publications

Exploring the vomeronasal organ in an endangered antelope species

Exploring the vomeronasal organ in an endangered antelope species

The vomeronasal organ of wild canids: the fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a model

Comparative genomic analyses illuminate the distinct evolution of megabats within Chiroptera

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