Adaptive evolution of Hoxc13 genes in the origin and diversification of the vertebrate integument. Issue 7 (19th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Jianghong; , Husile; Sun, Hailian; Wang, Feng; Li, Yurong; Zhao, Cunfa; Zhang, Wenguang
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental zoology. Volume 320:Issue 7(2013)
• Page Start: 412
• Page End: 419
• Publication Date: 2013-07-19
• Subjects: Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; Molecular evolution -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; Evolution, Molecular -- Periodicals; Developmental Biology -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; 591
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22504
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5007

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jezb22504-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>The problem of origination and diversification of integument derivatives in vertebrates is still a challenge. The <italic>homeobox</italic> (<italic>Hox</italic>) genes <italic>Hoxc13</italic> control integument formation in vertebrate. <italic>Hoxc13</italic> show strong expression in the integument development, are highly conserved across vertebrates, and show mutations that are associated with skin and appendages. To test whether the evolution of the integument is associated with positive selection or relaxation of <italic>Hoxc13</italic>, we obtained these genes in a wide range of vertebrates. In <italic>Hoxc13</italic>, we found evidence of diversifying selection after speciation during the origin of vertebrates. In addition, we found the glycine‐rich regions in <italic>Hoxc13</italic> protein in mammals, but not among non‐mammalian taxa. Our results strongly implicate that <italic>Hoxc13</italic> genes could have played an important role in the evolution of integument structure. <italic>J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 320B: 412–419, 2013</italic>. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>