Convergent Cortistatin losses parallel modifications in circadian rhythmicity and energy homeostasis in Cetacea and other mammalian lineages

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Valente, R (Author) Other; Alves, LQ (Author) Other; Nabais, M (Author) Other; Alves, F (Author) Other; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP; Ruivo, R (Author) Other; Filipe F C Castro (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Genomics

Vol. 113

Pages: 1064-1070

ISSN: 0888-7543

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-0SH

DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.11.002

Abstract (EN): The ancestors of Cetacea underwent profound morpho-physiological alterations. By displaying an exclusive aquatic existence, cetaceans evolved unique patterns of locomotor activity, vigilant behaviour, thermoregulation and circadian rhythmicity. Deciphering the molecular landscape governing many of these adaptations is key to understand the evolution of phenotypes. Here, we investigate Cortistatin (CORT), a neuropeptide displaying an important role in mammalian biorhythm regulation. This neuropeptide is a known neuroendocrine factor, stimulating slow-wave sleep, but also involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and hypomotility inducement. We assessed the functional status of CORT in 359 mammalian genomes (25 orders), including 30 species of Cetacea. Our findings indicate that cetaceans and other mammals with atypical biorhythms, thermal constraints and/or energy metabolism, have accumulated deleterious mutations in CORT. In light of the pleiotropic action of this neuropeptide, we suggest that this inactivation contributed to a plethora of phenotypic adjustments to accommodate adaptive solutions to specific ecological niches.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7