The convergent evolution of metabolic systems in birds and mammals for adaptation to diversification of flowering plants

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15848
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 45020:Evolutionary biology-related
• Research Institution: Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Kawai Yusuke 帯広畜産大学, 畜産学部, 助教 (10709546)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: グルクロン酸抱合酵素 / UGT / 異物代謝 / 鳥類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to clarify the evolutionary history of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) involved in the xenobiotic metabolism in birds and mammals, we analyzed the molecular evolution of UGT genes in mammals and used chickens as avian models to induce UGT genes, measure glucuronide conjugation activity, and express the UGT isozymes in yeast cells. The results of this study suggest that responses to chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that existed before the emergence of flowering plants are maintained in mammals and birds, and that the emergence of flowering plants has greatly influenced the emergence and diversification of eutherian UGT2B genes in particular.

Free Research Field

獣医毒性学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでの研究で植物由来の化学物質に曝露される可能性が低い肉食動物はグルクロン酸抱合酵素（UGT）遺伝子の数が少なくグルクロン酸抱合活性が低いなど、食性と異物代謝能に関連があることが示唆されてきた。本研究ではこれまでの研究を被子植物の出現という視点で拡張させることで、鳥類および有胎盤類と有袋類が被子植物の出現と多様化に対し異なるUGT遺伝子を用いて適応している可能性を示した。またニワトリUGTの分子種ごとにその抱合活性測定を行い哺乳類UGTと比較できる環境を整えたことは発展性がある。