Deeply conserved synteny and the evolution of metazoan chromosomes

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abi5884
• Publication Date: 2022-02-02T18:55:25Z
• Authors: Oleg Simakov; Jessen Bredeson; Kodiak Berkoff; Ferdinand Marletaz; Therese Mitros; Darrin T. Schultz; Brendan L. O’Connell; Paul Dear; Daniel E. Martinez; Robert E. Steele; Richard E. Green; Charles N. David; Daniel S. Rokhsar
• Keywords: Synteny

Animal genomes show networks of deeply conserved gene linkages whose phylogenetic scope and chromosomal context remain unclear. Here, we report chromosome-scale conservation synteny among bilaterians, cnidarians, sponges use comparative analysis to reconstruct ancestral chromosomes across major animal groups. Comparisons diverse metazoans reveal the processes chromosome evolution that produced contemporary karyotypes from their Precambrian progenitors. On basis these findings, introduce a simple algebraic representation change it establish unified systematic framework for metazoan evolution. We find fusion-with-mixing, previously unappreciated mode change, has played central role. relicts several units are preserved in unicellular eukaryotes. These pre-metazoan include unit encodes most set homeobox genes, suggesting candidate genomic early diversification this key family.