PUBLICATION

An ancient adenosine receptor gains olfactory function in bony vertebrates

Authors
Kowatschew, D., Korsching, S.I.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210910-7
Date
2021
Source
Genome biology and evolution   13(9): (Journal)
Registered Authors
Korsching, Sigrun
Keywords
adenosine receptor, lamprey, olfaction
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons*/physiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Receptors, Odorant*/genetics
  • Receptors, Purinergic P1/genetics
  • Zebrafish/genetics
PubMed
34499158 Full text @ Genome Biol. Evol.
Abstract
Nucleotides are an important class of odorants for aquatic vertebrates such as frogs and fishes, but also have manifold signalling roles in other cellular processes. Recently, an adenosine receptor believed to belong to the adora2 clade has been identified as an olfactory receptor in zebrafish. Here we set out to elucidate the evolutionary history of both this gene and its olfactory function. We have performed a thorough phylogenetic study in vertebrates, chordates and their sister group, ambulacraria, and show that the origin of the zebrafish olfactory receptor gene can be traced back to the most recent common ancestor of all three groups as a segregate sister clade (adorb) to the adora gene family. Eel, carp, and clawed frog all express adorb in a sparse and distributed pattern within their olfactory epithelium very similar to the pattern observed for zebrafish, i.e. consistent with a function as olfactory receptor. In sharp contrast, lamprey adorb-expressing cells are absent from the sensory region of the lamprey nose, but form a contiguous domain directly adjacent to the sensory region. Double-labeling experiments confirmed the expression of lamprey adorb in nonneuronal cells and are consistent with an expression in neuronal progenitor cells. Thus, adorb may have undergone a switch of function in the jawed lineage of vertebrates towards a role as olfactory receptor.
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