Evolution of Key Oxygen-Sensing Genes Is Associated with Hypoxia Tolerance in Fishes.

ABSTRACT: Low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) is recognized as a major threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Because oxygen is paramount for the energy metabolism of animals, understanding the functional and genetic drivers of whole-animal hypoxia tolerance is critical to predicting the impacts of aquatic hypoxia. In this study, we investigate the molecular evolution of key genes involved in the detection of and response to hypoxia in ray-finned fishes: the prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD)-hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) oxygen-sensing system, also known as the EGLN (egg-laying nine)-HIF oxygen-sensing system. We searched fish genomes for HIFA and EGLN genes, discovered new paralogs from both gene families, and analyzed protein-coding sites under positive selection. The physicochemical properties of thes

SUBMITTER: Babin CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11370800 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature