Frequent Loss and Alteration of the MOXD2 Gene in Catarrhines and Whales: A Possible Connection with the Evolution of Olfaction

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Kim, Dong Seon Wang, Yao Lee, Kangseok Hahn, Yoonsoo
Copyright Year	2014
Abstract	The MOXD2 gene encodes a membrane-bound monooxygenase similar to dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and has been proposed to be associated with olfaction. In this study, we analyzed MOXD2 genes from 64 mammalian species, and identified loss-of-function mutations in apes (humans, Sumatran and Bornean orangutans, and five gibbon species from the four major gibbon genera), toothed whales (killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, finless porpoises, baijis, and sperm whales), and baleen whales (minke whales and fin whales). We also identified a shared 13-nt deletion in the last exon of Old World cercopithecine monkeys that results in conversion of a membrane-bound protein to a soluble form. We hypothesize that the frequent inactivation and alteration of MOXD2 genes in catarrhines and whales may be associated with the evolution of olfaction in these clades.
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
DOI	10.1371/journal.pone.0104085
PubMed reference number	25102179
Journal	Medline
Volume Number	9
Alternate Webpage(s)	http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0104085.s005&type=supplementary
Alternate Webpage(s)	http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0104085&type=printable
Alternate Webpage(s)	http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0104085.s006&type=supplementary
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0104085
Journal	PloS one
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article