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Mammalian-Specific Traits Generated by LTR Retrotransposon-Derived SIRH Genes

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Evolutionary Biology: Self/Nonself Evolution, Species and Complex Traits Evolution, Methods and Concepts

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Abstract

What is the mechanism by which mammalian-specific genes derived from long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons played a role in generating mammalian-specific traits, such as a unique viviparous reproductive system and a highly developed central nervous system? A series of knockout mouse studies has clearly demonstrated that at least some sushi-ichi-related retrotransposon homologues (SIRH genes) play essential roles in placental development and brain function. Some SIRH genes are conserved in all eutherians, whereas other SIRH genes became pseudogenes in a species- or lineage-specific manner, implying that LTR retrotransposons served as a critical driving force in mammalian evolution and diversification by generating mammalian-specific and species- or lineage-specific genes, respectively. Interestingly, most SIRH genes are located on the X chromosome. We discuss whether there is a specific reason for or advantage of having an X-linked chromosomal location, and we also discuss the role of X chromosome inactivation during this process.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the funding program for Next Generation World-Leading Researchers (NEXT Program) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Asahi Glass Foundation to T.K.-I., Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S) (23221010) and (A) (16H02478) from JSPS and Joint Usage/Research Program of Medical Research Institute Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) grants to F.I. and T.K.-I.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara-shi, Japan

    Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino & Masahito Irie

  2. Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan

    Masahito Irie & Fumitoshi Ishino

Authors
  1. Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino
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  2. Masahito Irie
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  3. Fumitoshi Ishino
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Correspondence to Fumitoshi Ishino .

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  1. Laboratoire Evolution Biologique et Modélisation, CNRS, Université d’Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France

    Pierre Pontarotti

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Kaneko-Ishino, T., Irie, M., Ishino, F. (2017). Mammalian-Specific Traits Generated by LTR Retrotransposon-Derived SIRH Genes. In: Pontarotti, P. (eds) Evolutionary Biology: Self/Nonself Evolution, Species and Complex Traits Evolution, Methods and Concepts. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61569-1_7

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