Evolution of Pheromone Receptors in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Vanessa C. Kurzweil, Mike Getman, Eric D. Green, Robert P. Lane
Primary Institution: Wesleyan University and National Human Genome Research Institute
Hypothesis
Do V1R receptor repertoires exhibit dynamic functional modulation between Mus musculus and Mus spretus?
Conclusion
About 44% of the V1R genes in the common ancestor of Mus musculus and Mus spretus have undergone functional changes since the species diverged.
Supporting Evidence
- The study generated genome sequences for V1R gene clusters in Mus spretus.
- Functional modulation of V1R genes was observed between the two mouse species.
- Adaptive changes in V1R repertoires may contribute to species-specific pheromone detection.
Takeaway
Mice have special genes that help them smell pheromones, and these genes have changed a lot since two types of mice split from a common ancestor.
Methodology
Genome sequencing and comparison of V1R gene clusters in Mus spretus and Mus musculus.
Limitations
The study may not capture all V1R genes due to gaps in the spretus genome assembly.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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