Zhong Huaming, Shang Shuai, Zhang Huanxin, Chen Jun, Wu Xiaoyang, Zhang Honghai
College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China.
College of Marine Life, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Genetica. 2019 Apr;147(2):131-139. doi: 10.1007/s10709-019-00056-4. Epub 2019 Mar 6.
The perception of bitter taste is linked to the detection of toxins. Therefore, it facilitates avoiding the consumption of potential toxins in the diet. At the molecular level, bitter taste is mediated by taste 2 receptors (Tas2rs). Studies on Tas2r have made major advances in recent years. However, little is known about Tas2rs in Squamata, the second largest order of extant vertebrates. To explore the repertoire and phylogenetic relationships among Tas2r genes in Squamata, we identified and characterized Tas2rs from genome assemblies of 15 Squamata species. We observed considerable Tas2r contraction and expansion in the suborders Serpentes and Lacertilia, respectively. Phylogenetic and reconciliation analysis suggested that lineage-specific gene gains and losses could have led to the Tas2r contraction and expansion in Squamata. Different Tas2r repertoires in Serpents and Lacertilia also reflect their oral anatomical features and taste behaviors. Our findings offer novel perspectives into the study of taste and dietary protection in Squamata species.
苦味的感知与毒素的检测有关。因此，它有助于避免摄入饮食中的潜在毒素。在分子水平上，苦味由味觉2受体（Tas2rs）介导。近年来，关于Tas2r的研究取得了重大进展。然而，对于有鳞目（现存脊椎动物的第二大目）中的Tas2rs却知之甚少。为了探索有鳞目动物中Tas2r基因的全部组成及其系统发育关系，我们从15种有鳞目物种的基因组组装中鉴定并表征了Tas2rs。我们观察到，在蛇亚目和蜥蜴亚目中，Tas2r分别出现了显著的收缩和扩张。系统发育和和解分析表明，特定谱系的基因得失可能导致了有鳞目动物中Tas2r的收缩和扩张。蛇类和蜥蜴类不同的Tas2r组成也反映了它们的口腔解剖特征和味觉行为。我们的研究结果为有鳞目物种的味觉和饮食保护研究提供了新的视角。
