Comparative Analyses Reveal the Genetic Mechanism of Ambergris Production in the Sperm Whale Based on the Chromosome-Level Genome.

ABSTRACT: Sperm whales are a marine mammal famous for the aromatic substance, the ambergris, produced from its colon. Little is known about the biological processes of ambergris production, and this study aims to investigate the genetic mechanism of ambergris production in the sperm whale based on its chromosome-level genome. Comparative genomics analyses found 1207 expanded gene families and 321 positive selected genes (PSGs) in the sperm whale, and functional enrichment analyses suggested revelatory pathways and terms related to the metabolism of steroids, terpenoids, and aldosterone, as well as microbiota interaction and immune network in the intestine. Furthermore, two sperm-whale-specific missense mutations (Tyr393His and Leu567Val) were detected in the PSG LIPE, which has been reported to play

SUBMITTER: Zhou C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9913093 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature