Evolution of vomeronasal receptor 1 (V1R) genes in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

摘要: Pheromones are crucial for eliciting innate responses and inducing social sexual behaviors in mammals. The vomeronasal receptor 1 genes, V1Rs, encode members of a pheromone family that mainly expressed the organ (VNO). V1R shows extraordinary variety gene number among vertebrates owing to successive gains losses during evolution. Such diversity is believed reflect degree dependence on VNO. We investigated evolution primate lineages closely related humans because these VNOs show trend toward degeneration. performed extensive phylogenetic analyses V1Rs from broad range species. Although decline intact genes was evident anthropoids (hominoids, Old World monkeys New monkeys), we found certain persist monkeys. In one monkey species, common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), examined seven putatively functional using situ hybridization reverse transcription-PCR. Based their mRNA expression patterns VNO other organs, two types emerged: canonical class with VNO-specific expression, second group having more ubiquitous various organs as well Furthermore, analysis revealed widespread had been retained longer than type. propose acquisition novel non-VNO-related function(s) may have led survival small but persistent anthropoid primates.