Genetic mapping and molecular mechanism behind color variation in the Asian vine snake.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reptiles exhibit a wide variety of skin colors, which serve essential roles in survival and reproduction. However, the molecular basis of these conspicuous colors remains unresolved.

Results

We investigate color morph-enriched Asian vine snakes (Ahaetulla prasina), to explore the mechanism underpinning color variations. Transmission electron microscopy imaging and metabolomics analysis indicates that chromatophore morphology (mainly iridophores) is the main basis for differences in skin color. Additionally, we assemble a 1.77-Gb high-quality chromosome-anchored genome of the snake. Genome-wide association study and RNA sequencing reveal a conservative amino acid substitution (p.P20S) in SMARCE1, which may be involved in the regulation of chromatophore development

SUBMITTER: Tang CY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9999515 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature