Abstract
UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) catalyzes the transfer of glycosyl groups (e.g., glucuronic acid) to exogenous or endogenous chemicals and plays an important role in conjugation reactions. In vertebrates, UGT genes are divided into 5 families: UGT1, UGT2, UGT3, UGT5, and UGT8. Among these UGT enzymes, UGT1 and UGT2 enzymes are known to be important xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in mammals. However, little is known about UGT1 and UGT2 genes in avian species. In this study, we therefore aimed to classify avian UGT1 and UGT2 genes based on their evolutionary relationships. We also investigated the association between UGT molecular evolution and ecological factors, specifically feeding habits, habitat, and migration. By examining the genomes of 43 avian species with differing ecology, we showed that avian UGT1E genes are divided into 6 groups and UGT2 genes into 3 groups. Correlations between UGT gene count and ecological factors suggested that the number of UGT1E genes is decreasing in carnivorous species. Estimates of selection pressure also support the hypothesis that diet influenced avian UGT1E gene evolution, similar to mammalian UGT1A and UGT2B genes.
Highlights
UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) catalyzes the transfer of glycosyl groups to exogenous or endogenous chemicals [1]
UGT5 family genes are only in teleost fishes [3], while the UGT3 family is absent in chicken, turkey, and zebra finch [4], suggesting that avian species have 3 UGT families (UGT1, UGT2, and UGT8)
UGT1E family genes were divided into 6 groups with several subgroups, identified as “bird_UGT1E_group” based on gene location
Summary
UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) catalyzes the transfer of glycosyl groups (including glucuronic acid, glucose, glycoside, and galactose) to exogenous or endogenous chemicals [1]. UGT5 family genes are only in teleost fishes [3], while the UGT3 family is absent in chicken, turkey, and zebra finch [4], suggesting that avian species have 3 UGT families (UGT1, UGT2, and UGT8). Among these UGT enzymes, UGT1, UGT2, and UGT5 family enzymes were reported to catalyze the exogenous chemicals in zebrafish [5].
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