Comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly.

BACKGROUND: There are three main dietary groups in mammals: carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Currently, there is limited comparative genomics insight into the evolution of dietary specializations in mammals. Due to recent advances in sequencing technologies, we were able to perform in-depth whole genome analyses of representatives of these three dietary groups. RESULTS: We investigated the evolution of carnivory by comparing 18 representative genomes from across Mammalia with carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous dietary specializations, focusing on Felidae (domestic cat, tiger, lion, cheetah, and leopard), Hominidae, and Bovidae genomes. We generated a new high-quality leopard genome assembly, as well as two wild Amur leopard whole genomes. In addition to a clear contraction in gene families for starch and sucrose metabolism, the carnivore genomes showed evidence of shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with diet, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for successful hunting and meat consumption. Additionally, an analysis of highly conserved regions at the family level revealed molecular signatures of dietary adaptation in each of Felidae, Hominidae, and Bovidae. However, unlike carnivores, omnivores and herbivores showed fewer shared adaptive signatures, indicating that carnivores are under strong selective pressure related to diet. Finally, felids showed recent reductions in genetic diversity associated with decreased population sizes, which may be due to the inflexible nature of their strict diet, highlighting their vulnerability and critical conservation status. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a large-scale family level comparative genomic analysis to address genomic changes associated with dietary specialization. Our genomic analyses also provide useful resources for diet-related genetic and health research

Data from: Dispersal of Amur tiger from spatial distribution and genetics within the eastern Changbai mountains of China

Population dispersal and migration often indicate an expanded habitat and reduced inbreeding probability, and to some extend reflects improvement in the condition of the population. The Amur tiger population in the northern region of the Changbai mountains in China mostly distributes along the Sino-Russian border, next to the population in southwest Primorye in Russia. The successful dispersal westward and trans-boundary movement are crucial for the persistence of the Amur tiger in this area. This study explored the spatial dispersal of the population, trans-boundary migration and the genetic condition of the Amur tiger population within the northern Changbai mountains in China, using occurrence data and fecal samples. Our results from 2003 to 2016 showed that the Amur tiger population in this area was spreading westward at a speed of 12.83 ± 4.41 km every three years. Genetic diversity of the Amur tiger populations in southwest Primorye was slightly different than the population in our study area and the potential individual migration rate between these two populations was shown to be about 13.04%. Furthermore, the relationships between genetic distances and spatial distances indicated the existence of serious limitations to the dispersal of the Amur tiger in China. This study provided important information about spatial dispersal, trans-boundary migration and the genetic diversity of Amur tigers in China, showed the urgent need for Amur tiger habitat restoration, and suggested some important conservation measures, such as corridor construction to eliminate dispersal barriers and joint international conservation to promote trans-boundary movement

Comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly

Background: There are three main dietary groups in mammals: carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Currently, there is limited comparative genomics insight into the evolution of dietary specializations in mammals. Due to recent advances in sequencing technologies, we were able to perform in-depth whole genome analyses of representatives of these three dietary groups. Results: We investigated the evolution of carnivory by comparing 18 representative genomes from across Mammalia with carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous dietary specializations, focusing on Felidae (domestic cat, tiger, lion, cheetah, and leopard), Hominidae, and Bovidae genomes. We generated a new high-quality leopard genome assembly, as well as two wild Amur leopard whole genomes. In addition to a clear contraction in gene families for starch and sucrose metabolism, the carnivore genomes showed evidence of shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with diet, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for successful hunting and meat consumption. Additionally, an analysis of highly conserved regions at the family level revealed molecular signatures of dietary adaptation in each of Felidae, Hominidae, and Bovidae. However, unlike carnivores, omnivores and herbivores showed fewer shared adaptive signatures, indicating that carnivores are under strong selective pressure related to diet. Finally, felids showed recent reductions in genetic diversity associated with decreased population sizes, which may be due to the inflexible nature of their strict diet, highlighting their vulnerability and critical conservation status. Conclusions: Our study provides a large-scale family level comparative genomic analysis to address genomic changes associated with dietary specialization. Our genomic analyses also provide useful resources for diet-related genetic and health research

NY-ESO-1 expression in DCIS: A new predictor of good prognosis

BACKGROUND: At present, it is difficult to predict which patients with ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) will subsequently develop frank invasive breast cancer (IDC). A recent survey by our group has shown that NY-ESO-1 and MAGEA are both expressed in DCIS. This study was aimed at determining whether expression of these antigens was related to the later development of IDC. RESULTS: 14 of 42 (33%) of patients developed invasive breast cancer during the follow up period. Only one of those DCIS cases that relapsed was positive for NYESO-1 at diagnosis. In contrast, DCIS samples of 15 of the 28 (54%) of those patients who remained disease-free expressed NY-ESO-1. (Permutation chi square p=0.0033). METHODS: We identified 42 patients with DCIS, and followed them up for more than 10 years. NY-ESO-1 and MAGEA were demonstrated by immunostaining as were CD8+ infiltrates on all sections together with the conventional markers, ER, PR, and HER2. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of NY-ESO-1 may predict those patients who will not subsequently develop invasive breast cancer and could therefore potentially be helpful in defining prognosis in patients with DCIS

Additional file 2: Figure S1. of Comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly

Species and sub-species identification for three leopard samples. Figure S2. Distribution of K-mer frequency in the error-corrected reads. Figure S3. GC content distributions. Figure S4. Composition of mammalian orthologous genes. Figure S5. Divergence time estimation of 18 mammals. Figure S6. Contraction of the amylase gene families (AMY1 and AMY2) in carnivores. Figure S7. Frame-shift mutations in Felidae GCKR genes. Figure S8. Felidae-specific amino acid changes in DNA repair system. Figure S9. Felidae-specific amino acid change in MEP1A protein. Figure S10. Felidae-specific amino acid change in ACE2 protein. Figure S11. Felidae-specific amino acid change in PRCP protein. (DOCX 2024 kb

Additional file 2: Figure S1. of Comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly

Species and sub-species identification for three leopard samples. Figure S2. Distribution of K-mer frequency in the error-corrected reads. Figure S3. GC content distributions. Figure S4. Composition of mammalian orthologous genes. Figure S5. Divergence time estimation of 18 mammals. Figure S6. Contraction of the amylase gene families (AMY1 and AMY2) in carnivores. Figure S7. Frame-shift mutations in Felidae GCKR genes. Figure S8. Felidae-specific amino acid changes in DNA repair system. Figure S9. Felidae-specific amino acid change in MEP1A protein. Figure S10. Felidae-specific amino acid change in ACE2 protein. Figure S11. Felidae-specific amino acid change in PRCP protein. (DOCX 2024 kb

Additional file 3: of Comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly

Tables S1-50. (DOCX 174 kb