title: Adaptive evolution of Hoxc13 genes in the origin and diversification of the vertebrate integument.
abstract: The problem of origination and diversification of integument derivatives in vertebrates is still a challenge. The homeobox (Hox) genes Hoxc13 control integument formation in vertebrate. Hoxc13 show strong expression in the integument development, are highly conserved across vertebrates, and show mutations that are associated with skin and appendages. To test whether the evolution of the integument is associated with positive selection or relaxation of Hoxc13, we obtained these genes in a wide range of vertebrates. In Hoxc13, we found evidence of diversifying selection after speciation during the origin of vertebrates. In addition, we found the glycine-rich regions in Hoxc13 protein in mammals, but not among non-mammalian taxa. Our results strongly implicate that Hoxc13 genes could have played an important role in the evolution of integument structure.
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia Prataculture Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Hohhot, China.|Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot, China.|Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Jianghong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China.
authors.lastname: Husile
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia Prataculture Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Hailian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Yurong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Inner Mongolia Prataculture Research Center, Chinese Academy of Science, Hohhot, China.|Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural & Animal Husbandry Sciences, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Cunfa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China.
authors.forename: Wenguang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D014644:Genetic Variation; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D034582:Integumentary System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins