Systematic Identification and Evolution Analysis of Genes in Based on Comparative Genomics.

(Japanese quail) has been extensively used as a model animal for biological studies. The gene family, which was systematically characterized by a high-mobility group (HMG-box) in many animal species, encodes transcription factors that play central roles during multiple developmental processes. However, genome-wide investigations on the gene family in birds are scarce. In the current study, we first performed a genome-wide study to explore the gene family in galliform birds. Based on available genomic sequences retrieved from the NCBI database, we focused on the global identification of the gene family in and other species in Galliformes, and the evolutionary relationships of genes. In our result, a total of 35 genes in seven groups were identified in the genome. Our results also revealed that dispersed gene duplications contributed the most to the expansion of the gene family in Galliform birds. Evolutionary analyses indicated that genes are an ancient gene family, and strong purifying selections played key roles in the evolution of genes of More interestingly, we observed that most genes exhibited highly embryo-specific expression in both gonads. Our findings provided new insights into the molecular function and phylogeny of gene family in birds.