Browse
Submit Data
Databases
API
Help

Dataset Information

0 Views

0 Connections

0 Citations

0 Reanalyses

0 Downloads

Omics score: 0

Subdivision of ancestral scale genetic program underlies origin of feathers and avian scutate scales

ABSTRACT: Birds and other reptiles possess a diversity of feather and scale-like skin appendages. Feathers are commonly assumed to have originated from ancestral scales in theropod dinosaurs. However, most birds also have scaled feet, indicating birds evolved the capacity to grow both ancestral and derived morphologies. This suggests a more complex evolutionary history than a simple linear transition between feathers and scales. We set out to investigate the evolution of feathers via the comparison of transcriptomes assembled from diverse skin appendages in chicken, emu, and alligator. Our data reveal that feathers and the overlapping ‘scutate’ scales of birds share more similar gene expression to each other, and to two types of alligator scales, than they do to the tuberculate ‘reticulate’ scales on bird footpads. Accordingly, we propose a history of skin appendage diversification, in which feathers and bird scutate scales arose from ancestral archosaur body scales, whereas reticulate scales arose earlier in tetrapod evolution. We also show that many “feather-specific genes” are also expressed in alligator scales. In-situ hybridization results in feather buds suggest that these genes represent ancestral scale genes that acquired novel roles in feather morphogenesis and were repressed in bird scales. Our findings suggest that the differential reuse, in feathers, and suppression, in bird scales, of genes ancestrally expressed in archosaur scales has been a key factor in the origin of feathers – and may represent an important mechanism for the origin of evolutionary novelties.

ORGANISM(S): Alligator mississippiensis Gallus gallus Dromaius novaehollandiae

PROVIDER: GSE120493 | GEO | 2019/05/01

REPOSITORIES: GEO

ACCESS DATA

Json Xml

Dataset's files

Source:

			Action	DRS
		Other

Items per page:

1 - 1 of 1

Similar Datasets

Chicken embryonic E16 scutate scale and feather samples

Project description:Feather evolution enabled feathered dinosaurs and early Mesozoic birds to venture into new ecological niches. Studying how feathers and scales are specified provides insight into how a new organ evolves. We use genome-wide analyses to identify feather-associated genes and test their feather-forming ability by expressing them in chicken and alligator scales. Intermediate morphotypes revealed five cardinal morphogenetic events: localized growth zone, follicle invagination, branching, feather keratin differentiation and dermal papilla formation. In contrast to molecules known to induce feathers on scales (retinoic acid, beta-catenin), we identify novel scale-feather converters (Sox2, Zic1, Grem1, Spry2, Sox18) which induce only one or several of the five regulatory modules. Some morphotypes resemble filamentous appendages found in feathered dinosaur fossils, while others demonstrate some characteristics of modern feathers. We propose that at least five morpho-regulatory modules were used to diversify ancient reptile scales. The regulatory combination and hierarchical integration led to extant feather forms.

2017-12-31 | GSE87247 | GEO

ChIP-seq for embryonic chicken feather and scale samples

2017-12-31 | GSE87248 | GEO

Chicken embryonic feather and scale samples

2017-12-31 | GSE87139 | GEO

Expression data from embryonic chicken feather and scale skins

Project description:Epithelial appendages are the product of epithelial – mesenchymal interactions. Tissue recombination experiments showed that in general, the dermis determines the phenotype of the epithelial appendage. Chicken dorsal skin epithelium interacts with its underlying mesenchyme to form feathers beginning at E7 (H&H stage 31), while metatarsal scale epithelium interacts with its mesenchyme to form scales beginning at E9 (H&H stage 35) which stabilize around E12 (H&H stage 38). We sought to evaluate the molecular differences of tissues with different competence and inductive abilities to form feathers and scales. Chicken embryos were selected to obtain competent E7 and non-competent at E9 feather forming skin from dorsal. The competent E9 and non-competent E11 meta-tarsal scale forming skin from metatarsal were selected for examing the differences in regional specificity. Epithelium and mesenchyme from each skin were prepared separately. Samples were prepared for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. We gathered 8 sets of samples for the analysis: undifferentiated E7 feather skin epithelium (E7fe) and mesenchyme (E7fm); differentiated E9 feather skin epithelium (E9fe) and mesenchyme (E9fm); undifferentiated E9 scale skin epithelium (E9se) and mesenchyme (E9sm); and differentiated E11 scale skin epithelium (E11se) and mesenchyme (E11sm)

2015-07-01 | E-GEOD-62882 | biostudies-arrayexpress

A molecular shift in limb identity underlies the convergent evolution and development of feathered feet

Project description:The genetic and developmental mechanisms that control the decision between scale and feather growth â two profoundly different epidermal appendages, and an important developmental shift in the evolution of birds from their dinosaurian ancestors â remain poorly understood. Domestic pigeons display dramatic variation in foot epidermal appendages within a single species, and classical studies suggest that a small number of genes control much of this variation; thus pigeons provide a tractable model to understand skin appendage specification and variation. Here we show that feathered feet in pigeons are the consequence of a partial transformation of limb-type identity mediated by cis-regulatory changes in the hindlimb-specific transcription factor Pitx1 and forelimb-specific transcription factor Tbx5. We also demonstrate that ectopic hindlimb expression of Tbx5 is associated with the development of foot feathers in domestic chickens, suggesting that similar developmental mechanisms underlie phenotypic convergence in avian lineages that diverged over 100 MYA. These results show how qualitative and quantitative changes in expression of regional patterning genes can generate localized changes in organ fate and morphology, and provide a viable molecular mechanism for the evolution of hindlimb scale and feather distribution in dromaeosaurs. Examination of H3K27ac status in embryonic limb buds from two domestic pigeon breeds, racing homer and Indian fantail

2016-04-03 | E-GEOD-67875 | biostudies-arrayexpress

A molecular shift in limb identity underlies the convergent evolution and development of feathered feet

Project description:The genetic and developmental mechanisms that control the decision between scale and feather growth – two profoundly different epidermal appendages, and an important developmental shift in the evolution of birds from their dinosaurian ancestors – remain poorly understood. Domestic pigeons display dramatic variation in foot epidermal appendages within a single species, and classical studies suggest that a small number of genes control much of this variation; thus pigeons provide a tractable model to understand skin appendage specification and variation. Here we show that feathered feet in pigeons are the consequence of a partial transformation of limb-type identity mediated by cis-regulatory changes in the hindlimb-specific transcription factor Pitx1 and forelimb-specific transcription factor Tbx5. We also demonstrate that ectopic hindlimb expression of Tbx5 is associated with the development of foot feathers in domestic chickens, suggesting that similar developmental mechanisms underlie phenotypic convergence in avian lineages that diverged over 100 MYA. These results show how qualitative and quantitative changes in expression of regional patterning genes can generate localized changes in organ fate and morphology, and provide a viable molecular mechanism for the evolution of hindlimb scale and feather distribution in dromaeosaurs.

2016-04-03 | GSE67875 | GEO

Expression data from embryonic chicken feather and scale skins

2015-07-01 | GSE62882 | GEO

Regional specific differentiation of integumentary organs: SATB2 is involved in α- and β-keratin gene cluster switching in the chicken

Project description:Animals develop skin regional specificities to best adapt to their environments. Birds are excellent models in which to study the epigenetic mechanisms that facilitate these adaptions. Patients suffering from SATB2 mutations exhibit multiple defects including ectodermal dysplasia-like changes. The preferential expression of SATB2, a chromatin regulator, in feather-forming compared to scale-forming regions, suggests it functions in regional specification of chicken skin appendages by acting on either differentiation or morphogenesis. Retrovirus mediated SATB2 misexpression in developing feathers, beaks, and claws causes epidermal differentiation abnormalities (e.g. knobs, plaques) with few organ morphology alterations. Chicken β-keratins are encoded in 5 sub-clusters (Claw, Feather, Feather-like, Scale, and Keratinocyte) on Chromosome 25 and a large Feather keratin cluster on Chromosome 27. Type I and II α-keratin clusters are located on Chromosomes 27 and 33, respectively. Transcriptome analyses showed these keratins 1) are often tuned up or down collectively as a sub-cluster, and 2) these changes occur in a temporo-spatial specific manner. This cluster-level suppression is also seen in MMPs on Chromosome 1. SATB2 alters gene expression changes of most other transcripts without this cluster-level switching. These results suggest an organizing role of SATB2 in cluster-level gene co-regulation during skin regional specification.

2021-08-14 | GSE178651 | GEO

Transcriptomic profiles of melanin pigmentation in a plumage ornament

Project description:Feather coloration is one of the most extraordinary examples of phenotypic diversity. This diversity results both from the variation in hue as well as from the presence/absence of pigment in distinct feather regions. The mechanisms that drive presence/absence of pigmentation in feathers are not yet fully understood. Here we characterize the gene expression profiles associated with differential melanin pigmentation in Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) tails, a social feather ornament used in courtship and male-male competition. Junco tail feathers contain both white apigmented regions as well as dark melanin-pigmented regions. We compared the transcriptome-wide gene expression in developing white and dark regions of tail feathers to understand the regulatory pathways that may regulate the development of this feather ornament. We show that both white and dark feathers express melanocyte markers, indicating that white feathers contain cells capable of producing pigment. However, only dark cells express genes associated with melanin synthesis. We identify differences in expression of genes that may regulate melanocyte activation in dark feathers. Future studies should experimentally test the role of these genes in driving differences in feather pigmentation.

2023-01-08 | GSE167085 | GEO

RNA-Seq study of gene expression in feather branching

Project description:Feather branching morphogenesis is a complex process which is likely to be regulated by many genes. Also, feathers from different body regions are drastically different in their morphology, thus suggesting differential gene expression. To understand the feather epithelial branching process, we profiled gene expression in the ramogenic feather epithelium in adult chicken where branching begins. Feathers from the neck, wing, and tail regions in their actively growing phase were each profiled.

2018-02-20 | GSE110591 | GEO

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

OmicsDI is an Elixir interoperability service. Learn more ›

Tweets

OmicsDI Databases

PRIDE
PeptideAtlas
MassIVE
JPOST Repository
Physiome Model Repository

EGA
EVA
ENA
LINCS
PAXDB
Cell Collective

MetaboLights
Metabolomics Workbench
MetabolomeExpress
GNPS
BioModels
FAIRDOMHub

ArrayExpress
dbGaP
ExpressionAtlas
GEO
NODE

Information

Databases
Help
API
Contact us
Code on GitHub
Terms of use
Submit Data