Evolution of vertebrate gill covers via shifts in an ancient Pou3f3 enhancer

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011531117
• Publication Date: 2020-09-22T00:42:20Z
• Authors: Lindsey Barske; Peter Fabian; Christine Hirschb...; David Jandzik; Tyler Square; Pengfei Xu; Nellie Nelson; Haoze Vincent Yu; Daniel M. Medeiros; J. Andrew Gillis; J. Gage Crump
• Keywords: Lineage (genetic); Subfamily

Significance The evolution of jaws in early vertebrates provided such a predatory advantage that 99% vertebrate species living today are jawed. What is often overlooked, however, another structural innovation happened concurrently and may have been equally critical to the lineage’s success: musculoskeletal gill covers actively drive oxygenated water over gills. Here, we identify first essential gene for cover formation modern vertebrates, Pou3f3, uncover genomic element brought Pou3f3 expression into pharynx more than 430 Mya. Remarkably, small changes this deeply conserved sequence account single large bony fish versus five separate sharks their brethren.