Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology

The origins of giraffe's imposing stature and associated cardiovascular adaptations are unknown. Okapi, which lacks these unique features, is giraffe's closest relative and provides a useful comparison, to identify genetic variation underlying giraffe's long neck and cardiovascular system. The genom...

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Main Authors: Agaba, Morris, Ishengoma, Edson, Miller, Webb C., McGrath, Barbara C., Hudson, Chelsea N., Bedoya Reina, Oscar C., Ratan, Aakrosh, Burhans, Rico, Chikhi, Rayan, Medvedev, Paul, Praul, Craig A., Wu-Cavener, Lan, Wood, Brendan, Robertson, Heather, Penfold, Linda, Cavener, Douglas R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Springer 2016
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/129392
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author Agaba, Morris
Ishengoma, Edson
Miller, Webb C.
McGrath, Barbara C.
Hudson, Chelsea N.
Bedoya Reina, Oscar C.
Ratan, Aakrosh
Burhans, Rico
Chikhi, Rayan
Medvedev, Paul
Praul, Craig A.
Wu-Cavener, Lan
Wood, Brendan
Robertson, Heather
Penfold, Linda
Cavener, Douglas R.
author_browse Agaba, Morris
Bedoya Reina, Oscar C.
Burhans, Rico
Cavener, Douglas R.
Chikhi, Rayan
Hudson, Chelsea N.
Ishengoma, Edson
McGrath, Barbara C.
Medvedev, Paul
Miller, Webb C.
Penfold, Linda
Praul, Craig A.
Ratan, Aakrosh
Robertson, Heather
Wood, Brendan
Wu-Cavener, Lan
author_facet Agaba, Morris
Ishengoma, Edson
Miller, Webb C.
McGrath, Barbara C.
Hudson, Chelsea N.
Bedoya Reina, Oscar C.
Ratan, Aakrosh
Burhans, Rico
Chikhi, Rayan
Medvedev, Paul
Praul, Craig A.
Wu-Cavener, Lan
Wood, Brendan
Robertson, Heather
Penfold, Linda
Cavener, Douglas R.
author_sort Agaba, Morris
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The origins of giraffe's imposing stature and associated cardiovascular adaptations are unknown. Okapi, which lacks these unique features, is giraffe's closest relative and provides a useful comparison, to identify genetic variation underlying giraffe's long neck and cardiovascular system. The genomes of giraffe and okapi were sequenced, and through comparative analyses genes and pathways were identified that exhibit unique genetic changes and likely contribute to giraffe's unique features. Some of these genes are in the HOX, NOTCH and FGF signalling pathways, which regulate both skeletal and cardiovascular development, suggesting that giraffe's stature and cardiovascular adaptations evolved in parallel through changes in a small number of genes. Mitochondrial metabolism and volatile fatty acids transport genes are also evolutionarily diverged in giraffe and may be related to its unusual diet that includes toxic plants. Unexpectedly, substantial evolutionary changes have occurred in giraffe and okapi in double-strand break repair and centrosome functions.
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spelling CGSpace1293922024-10-03T07:40:58Z Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology Agaba, Morris Ishengoma, Edson Miller, Webb C. McGrath, Barbara C. Hudson, Chelsea N. Bedoya Reina, Oscar C. Ratan, Aakrosh Burhans, Rico Chikhi, Rayan Medvedev, Paul Praul, Craig A. Wu-Cavener, Lan Wood, Brendan Robertson, Heather Penfold, Linda Cavener, Douglas R. physiology morphology The origins of giraffe's imposing stature and associated cardiovascular adaptations are unknown. Okapi, which lacks these unique features, is giraffe's closest relative and provides a useful comparison, to identify genetic variation underlying giraffe's long neck and cardiovascular system. The genomes of giraffe and okapi were sequenced, and through comparative analyses genes and pathways were identified that exhibit unique genetic changes and likely contribute to giraffe's unique features. Some of these genes are in the HOX, NOTCH and FGF signalling pathways, which regulate both skeletal and cardiovascular development, suggesting that giraffe's stature and cardiovascular adaptations evolved in parallel through changes in a small number of genes. Mitochondrial metabolism and volatile fatty acids transport genes are also evolutionarily diverged in giraffe and may be related to its unusual diet that includes toxic plants. Unexpectedly, substantial evolutionary changes have occurred in giraffe and okapi in double-strand break repair and centrosome functions. 2016-05-17 2023-03-10T14:34:19Z 2023-03-10T14:34:19Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/129392 en Open Access Springer Agaba, Morris; Ishengoma, Edson; Miller, Webb C.; McGrath, Barbara C.; Hudson, Chelsea N.; Bedoya Reina, Oscar C.; Ratan, Aakrosh; Burhans, Rico; Chikhi, Rayan; Medvedev, Paul; Praul, Craig A.; Wu-Cavener, Lan; Wood, Brendan; Robertson, Heather; Penfold, Linda; Cavener, Douglas R. 2016. Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology. Nature Communications 7:
spellingShingle physiology
morphology
Agaba, Morris
Ishengoma, Edson
Miller, Webb C.
McGrath, Barbara C.
Hudson, Chelsea N.
Bedoya Reina, Oscar C.
Ratan, Aakrosh
Burhans, Rico
Chikhi, Rayan
Medvedev, Paul
Praul, Craig A.
Wu-Cavener, Lan
Wood, Brendan
Robertson, Heather
Penfold, Linda
Cavener, Douglas R.
Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
title Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
title_full Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
title_fullStr Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
title_full_unstemmed Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
title_short Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
title_sort giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology
topic physiology
morphology
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/129392
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