Dataset Information

On the genomics of immunoglobulins in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica.

ABSTRACT: Annotated maps of the IGH, IGK, and IGL loci in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica were generated from analyses of the available whole genome sequence for this species. Analyses of their content and organization confirmed a number of previous conclusions based on characterization of complementary DNAs encoding opossum immunoglobulin heavy and light chains and limited genomic analysis, including (a) the predominance of a single immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) subgroup and clan, (b) the presence of a single immunoglobulin (Ig)G subclass, (c) the apparent absence of an IgD, and (d) the general organization and V gene complexity of the IGK and IGL light chain loci. In addition, several unexpected discoveries were made including the presence of a partial V to D, germline-joined IGHV segment, the first germline-joined Ig V gene to be found in a mammal. In addition was the presence of a larger number of IGKV subgroups than had been previously identified. With this report, annotated maps of the major histocompatibility complex, T-cell receptor, and immunoglobulin loci have been completed for M. domestica, the only non-eutherian mammalian species for which this has been accomplished, strengthening the utility of this species as a model organism.

SUBMITTER: Wang X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2880577 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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On the genomics of immunoglobulins in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica.

Wang Xinxin X Olp Jonathan J JJ Miller Robert D RD

Immunogenetics 20090717 8

Annotated maps of the IGH, IGK, and IGL loci in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica were generated from analyses of the available whole genome sequence for this species. Analyses of their content and organization confirmed a number of previous conclusions based on characterization of complementary DNAs encoding opossum immunoglobulin heavy and light chains and limited genomic analysis, including (a) the predominance of a single immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) s ...[more]

PMID: 19609519

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Project description:By reconstructing and comparing the sequence of ontogenetic (embryonic development and post-natal growth) events across species, developmental biologists have gained unique insights into the key processes underlying the evolution of modern lineages and their extinct relatives. However, despite the importance of intraspecific variation to evolutionary transformation and lineage divergence, variation in the sequence of developmental events is seldom acknowledged. Thus, how much variation or variability should be expected during ontogeny remains poorly understood and it is an open question to what extent it impacts interspecific comparisons of developmental patterns. To address this crucial question, we studied the skeletal development of the important biomedical and developmental model organism, Monodelphis domestica. We investigated cranial, forelimb, and hindlimb elements using ontogenetic sequence analysis (OSA) to quantify and assess the full range of variation and variability in the sequence of ossification. Our study documented that previously unrecognized variation exists during M. domestica ontogeny-with over 5000 sequences for the full 92 event analysis. Further, OSA revealed unexpectedly high variability (i.e., the propensity to express variation) in the sequence of ossification for the skull and across the entire skeleton. Reconstructed modal sequences were generally in agreement with previously recognized patterns, including earlier ossification of the facial skeleton and a slight offset between forelimb and hindlimb development. However, the full range of variation shows that the majority of specimens in our analysis followed developmental trajectories distinct from those recovered by prior studies. This level of variation is quite remarkable and demonstrates the importance of assessing intraspecific ontogenetic variation. By quantifying sequence polymorphism and studying how developmental variation and variability differ among species, we can clarify more precisely how developmental patterns differ among species and gain insights into how ontogeny itself evolves.

Project description:BackgroundAfter a short gestation, marsupials give birth to immature neonates with lungs that are not fully developed and in early life the neonate partially relies on gas exchange through the skin. Therefore, significant lung development occurs after birth in marsupials in contrast to eutherian mammals such as humans and mice where lung development occurs predominantly in the embryo. To explore the mechanisms of marsupial lung development in comparison to eutherians, morphological and gene expression analysis were conducted in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica).ResultsPostnatal lung development of Monodelphis involves three key stages of development: (i) transition from late canalicular to early saccular stages, (ii) saccular and (iii) alveolar stages, similar to developmental stages overlapping the embryonic and perinatal period in eutherians. Differentially expressed genes were identified and correlated with developmental stages. Functional categories included growth factors, extracellular matrix protein (ECMs), transcriptional factors and signalling pathways related to branching morphogenesis, alveologenesis and vascularisation. Comparison with published data on mice highlighted the conserved importance of extracellular matrix remodelling and signalling pathways such as Wnt, Notch, IGF, TGFβ, retinoic acid and angiopoietin. The comparison also revealed changes in the mammalian gene expression program associated with the initiation of alveologenesis and birth, pointing to subtle differences between the non-functional embryonic lung of the eutherian mouse and the partially functional developing lung of the marsupial Monodelphis neonates. The data also highlighted a subset of contractile proteins specifically expressed in Monodelphis during and after alveologenesis.ConclusionThe results provide insights into marsupial lung development and support the potential of the marsupial model of postnatal development towards better understanding of the evolution of the mammalian bronchioalveolar lung.

Dataset Information

On the genomics of immunoglobulins in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica.

Publications

On the genomics of immunoglobulins in the gray, short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica.

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