Campus Units

Computer Science

Document Type

Article

Publication Version

Published Version

Publication Date

5-8-2008

Journal or Book Title

Nature

Volume

453

Issue

7192

First Page

175

Last Page

183

DOI

10.1038/nature06936

Abstract

We present a draft genome sequence of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. This monotreme exhibits a fascinating combination of reptilian and mammalian characters. For example, platypuses have a coat of fur adapted to an aquatic lifestyle; platypus females lactate, yet lay eggs; and males are equipped with venom similar to that of reptiles. Analysis of the first monotreme genome aligned these features with genetic innovations. We find that reptile and platypus venom proteins have been co-opted independently from the same gene families; milk protein genes are conserved despite platypuses laying eggs; and immune gene family expansions are directly related to platypus biology. Expansions of protein, non-protein-coding RNA and microRNA families, as well as repeat elements, are identified. Sequencing of this genome now provides a valuable resource for deep mammalian comparative analyses, as well as for monotreme biology and conservation.

Comments

This article is published as Warren, Wesley C., LaDeana W. Hillier, Jennifer A. Marshall Graves, Ewan Birney, Chris P. Ponting, Frank Grützner, Katherine Belov et al. "Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution." Nature 453, no. 7192 (2008): 175. doi: 10.1038/nature06936.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.

Copyright Owner

Nature Publishing Group

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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