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03 09, 2023;24 (1): 46.

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

Chen-Yang Tang, Xiaohu Zhang, Xiao Xu, Shijie Sun, Changjun Peng, Meng-Huan Song, Chaochao Yan, Huaqin Sun, Mingfeng Liu, Liang Xie, Shu-Jin Luo, Jia-Tang Li
Author Information
  1. Chen-Yang Tang: CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  2. Xiaohu Zhang: Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  3. Xiao Xu: The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
  4. Shijie Sun: Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  5. Changjun Peng: CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  6. Meng-Huan Song: CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  7. Chaochao Yan: CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  8. Huaqin Sun: Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  9. Mingfeng Liu: Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  10. Liang Xie: Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
  11. Shu-Jin Luo: The State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
  12. Jia-Tang Li: CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China. lijt@cib.ac.cn.
PMID: 36895044 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-02887-z

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 initiated from neural crest cells. SMARCE1 knockdown in zebrafish and immunofluorescence verify the interactions among SMARCE1, iridophores, and tfec, which may determine color variations in the Asian vine snake.
CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the genetic associations of color variation in Asian vine snakes, providing insights and important resources for a deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms related to reptilian coloration.

Keywords

Ahaetulla prasina GWAS Iridophores Reptiles Skin color

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MeSH Term

Animals
Genome-Wide Association Study
Zebrafish
Skin Pigmentation
Chromatophores
Snakes
Color
Zebrafish Proteins
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors

Chemicals

Tfec protein, zebrafish
Zebrafish Proteins
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Links to CNCB-NGDC Resources

GWH: GWHBRAF00000000 (Ahaetulla prasina)

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