Evolution of the essential gene <i>MN1</i> during the macroevolutionary transition toward patterning the vertebrate hindbrain.

ABSTRACT: The tight link between brain and skull formation is a fundamental aspect of vertebrate evolution and embryogenesis. Their developmental synchronization is essential for structural and functional integration. The brain and skull shape coevolution is evident along the vertebrate phylogeny; however, the genetic basis underlying their close evolutionary and developmental relationship remains little explored. Here, we reveal the evolution and function of the MN1 gene that was previously found to be associated with significant shape variation in the mouse skull and the formation of cranial bones. We show that the vertebrate MN1 gene evolved from an ancestral deuterostome sequence. In vertebrates, the MN1 gene structure, synteny, and spatiotemporal expression pattern are rema

SUBMITTER: Escamilla-Vega E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12146709 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature