Convergent musk biosynthesis across host and microbiota in musk deer and muskrat.

ABSTRACT: Mammalian scent glands mediate species-specific chemical communication, yet the mechanistic basis for convergent musk production remain incompletely understood. Forest musk deer and muskrat have independently evolved specialized musk-secreting glands, representing a striking case of convergent evolution. Through an integrated multi-omics approach, this study identified cyclopentadecanone as a shared key metabolic precursor in musk from both forest musk deer and muskrat, although downstream metabolite profiles diverged between the two lineages. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that these specialized apocrine glands possessed unique secretory architecture and exhibited transcriptional profiles associated with periodic musk production, distinct from those in conventional apocrine glands. C

SUBMITTER: Sun YS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12361909 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature