Data from: The genetic factors of bilaterian evolution
Data files
Aug 06, 2020 version files 6.49 GB
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all.orf.taxid.fa.gz
6.39 GB
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gro_ortho-co_13_7_n
101.53 MB
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table2name.tab
191.22 KB
Abstract
The Cambrian explosion was a unique animal radiation ~540 million years ago that produced the full range of body plans across bilaterians. The genetic mechanisms underlying these events are unknown, leaving a fundamental question in evolutionary biology unanswered. Using large-scale comparative genomics and advanced orthology evaluation techniques, we identified 157 genes with bilaterian origin. Bilaterian innovations include the entire Nodal pathway, a key regulator of mesoderm development and left-right axis specification; components for nervous system development, including a suite of G protein-coupled receptors that control physiology and behaviour, the Robo-Slit midline repulsion system, and the neurotrophin signalling system; a high number of zinc finger transcription factors; and novel factors that previously escaped attention. Contradicting the current view, our study reveals that genes with bilaterian origin are robustly associated with key features in extant bilaterians, suggesting a causal relationship.