Evolution of Pigment Synthesis Pathways in Fish
Author Information
Author(s): Ingo Braasch, Manfred Schartl, Jean-Nicolas Volff
Primary Institution: University of Würzburg
Hypothesis
Teleost fish have more copies of genes involved in pigment cell development due to an ancient fish-specific genome duplication.
Conclusion
Teleost fishes have a greater repertoire of pigment synthesis genes than any other vertebrate group, mainly due to the fish-specific genome duplication.
Supporting Evidence
- Three out of four enzyme-encoding genes in the melanin synthesis pathway are retained as duplicates in teleosts.
- Two cases of duplicated genes were observed in the pteridine pathway.
- Genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes in both pathways have additional paralogs in teleosts compared to tetrapods.
Takeaway
Fish have more genes that help them make colors than other animals because of a special event in their history that duplicated their genes.
Methodology
The study used comparative genomic approaches, including phylogenetic reconstructions and synteny analyses, to analyze pigment synthesis pathways.
Limitations
The study does not provide functional evidence for the roles of all duplicated genes in pigmentation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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