Genetic signatures for enhanced olfaction in the African mole-rats.
The Olfactory Receptor (OR) superfamily, the largest in the vertebrate genome, is responsible for vertebrate olfaction and is traditionally subdivided into 17 OR families. Recent studies characterising whole-OR subgenomes revealed a 'birth and death' model of evolution for a range of species, however little is known about fine-scale evolutionary dynamics within single-OR families. This study reports the first assessment of fine-scale OR evolution and variation in African mole-rats (Bathyergidae), a family of subterranean rodents endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Because of the selective pressures of life underground, enhanced olfaction is proposed to be fundamental to the evolutionary success of the Bathyergidae, resulting in a highly diversified OR gene-repertoire. Using a PCR-sequencing approach, we analysed variation in the OR7 family across 14 extant bathyergid species, which revealed enhanced levels of functional polymorphisms concentrated across the receptors' ligand-binding region. We propose that mole-rats are able to recognise a broad range of odorants and that this diversity is reflected throughout their OR7 gene repertoire. Using both classic tests and tree-based methods to test for signals of selection, we investigate evolutionary forces across the mole-rat OR7 gene tree. Four well-supported clades emerged in the OR phylogeny, with varying signals of selection; from neutrality to positive and purifying selection. Bathyergid life-history traits and environmental niche-specialisation are explored as possible drivers of adaptive OR evolution, emerging as non-exclusive contributors to the positive selection observed at OR7 genes. Our results reveal unexpected complexity of evolutionary mechanisms acting within a single OR family, providing insightful perspectives into OR evolutionary dynamics.
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Sofia
S
Stathopoulos
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Jacqueline M
JM
Bishop
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Colleen
C
O'Ryan
D000349:Africa; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004777:Environment; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D019577:Mole Rats / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000235:genetics*; D012903:Smell / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity
D018035:Receptors, Odorant