Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology

Morris Agaba, Edson Ishengoma, Webb C. Miller, Barbara C. McGrath, Chelsea N. Hudson, Oscar C. Bedoya Reina, Aakrosh Ratan, Rico Burhans, Rayan Chikhi, Paul Medvedev, Craig A. Praul, Lan Wu-Cavener, Brendan Wood, Heather Robertson, Linda Penfold and Douglas R. Cavener ()
Additional contact information
Morris Agaba: School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, African Institute of Science and Technology
Edson Ishengoma: School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, African Institute of Science and Technology
Webb C. Miller: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Barbara C. McGrath: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Chelsea N. Hudson: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Oscar C. Bedoya Reina: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Aakrosh Ratan: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Rico Burhans: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Rayan Chikhi: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Paul Medvedev: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Craig A. Praul: Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
Lan Wu-Cavener: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Brendan Wood: Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Heather Robertson: Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Linda Penfold: White Oak Holdings
Douglas R. Cavener: School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, African Institute of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The origins of giraffe’s imposing stature and associated cardiovascular adaptations are unknown. Okapi, which lacks these unique features, is giraffe’s closest relative and provides a useful comparison, to identify genetic variation underlying giraffe’s long neck and cardiovascular system. The genomes of giraffe and okapi were sequenced, and through comparative analyses genes and pathways were identified that exhibit unique genetic changes and likely contribute to giraffe’s unique features. Some of these genes are in the HOX, NOTCH and FGF signalling pathways, which regulate both skeletal and cardiovascular development, suggesting that giraffe’s stature and cardiovascular adaptations evolved in parallel through changes in a small number of genes. Mitochondrial metabolism and volatile fatty acids transport genes are also evolutionarily diverged in giraffe and may be related to its unusual diet that includes toxic plants. Unexpectedly, substantial evolutionary changes have occurred in giraffe and okapi in double-strand break repair and centrosome functions.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11519

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