Adaptation is one of the most fundamental issues in the studies of organismal evolution. Pancreatic ribonuclease is a very impor- tant digestive enzyme and secreted by the pancreas. Numerous studies have suggested tha...Adaptation is one of the most fundamental issues in the studies of organismal evolution. Pancreatic ribonuclease is a very impor- tant digestive enzyme and secreted by the pancreas. Numerous studies have suggested that RNASE1 gene duplication is closely related to the functional adaptation of the digestive system in the intestinal fermentation herbivores. RNASE1 gene thus becomes one of the most important candidate genetic markers to study the molecular mechanism of adaptation of organisms to the feeding habit. Interestingly, RNASE1 gene duplication has also been found in some non-intestinal fermentation mammals, suggesting that RNASE1 gene may have produced novel tissue specificity or functions in these species. In this review, RNASE1 gene and its im- plications in adaptive evolution, especially in association with the feeding habit of organisms, are summarized.展开更多
基金supported by the State Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB411600)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U0836603)
文摘Adaptation is one of the most fundamental issues in the studies of organismal evolution. Pancreatic ribonuclease is a very impor- tant digestive enzyme and secreted by the pancreas. Numerous studies have suggested that RNASE1 gene duplication is closely related to the functional adaptation of the digestive system in the intestinal fermentation herbivores. RNASE1 gene thus becomes one of the most important candidate genetic markers to study the molecular mechanism of adaptation of organisms to the feeding habit. Interestingly, RNASE1 gene duplication has also been found in some non-intestinal fermentation mammals, suggesting that RNASE1 gene may have produced novel tissue specificity or functions in these species. In this review, RNASE1 gene and its im- plications in adaptive evolution, especially in association with the feeding habit of organisms, are summarized.
