Comparative genomic investigation of high-elevation adaptation in ectothermic snakes

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1805348115
• Publication Date: 2018-07-31T15:09:57Z
• Authors: Jia-Tang Li; Yue-Dong Gao; Liang Xie; Cao Deng; Peng Shi; Meng-Long Guan; Song Huang; Jin-Long Ren; Dong-Dong Wu; Li Ding; Zi-Yan Huang; Hu Nie; Devon P. Humphreys; David M. Hillis; Wen-Zhi Wang; Ya-Ping Zhang
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Genome; Flap Endonucleases; Ultraviolet Rays; Acclimatization; Altitude; Snakes; Tibet; Evolution, Molecular; 03 medical and health sciences; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors; Animals; Female; Selection, Genetic; Hypoxia; Alleles; Phylogeny

Significance

Snakes of the genus Thermophis are endemic to the Tibetan plateau and occur at elevations over 3,500 m and present an opportunity to study the genetics mechanisms of adaptation to high-elevation conditions in ectotherms. Here, we provide a de novo genome of the Tibetan hot-spring snake, Thermophis baileyi , and conduct a series of comparisons with other reptiles. We identify genes under positive selection and test properties of allelic variants of proteins that are involved in DNA damage repair and responses to hypoxia. Functional assays reveal convergent genetic mechanisms that underlie high-elevation adaptation in both endotherms and ectotherms.