Evolutionary Genomics Reveals Multiple Functions of Arylalkylamine -Acetyltransferase in Fish.

As an important hormone, melatonin participates in endocrine regulation of diverse functions in vertebrates. Its biosynthesis is catalyzed by four cascaded enzymes, among them, arylalkylamine -acetyltransferase (AANAT) is the most critical one. Although only single gene has been identified in most groups of vertebrates, researchers including us have determined that fish have the most diverse of genes (, and ), playing various potential roles such as seasonal migration, amphibious aerial vision, and cave or deep-sea adaptation. With the rapid development of genome and transcriptome sequencing, more and more putative sequences of fish genes are going to be available. Related phylogeny and functional investigations will enrich our understanding of AANAT functions in various fish species.