Peng Cao, Qinlong Dai, Cao Deng, Xiang Zhao, Shishan Qin, Jian Yang, Ran Ju, Zhiwen Wang, Guoqing Lu, Xiaodong Gu, Zhisong Yang, Lifeng Zhu
Animal body coverings provide protection and allow for adaptation to environmental pressures such as heat, ultraviolet radiation, water loss, and mechanical forces. Here, using a comparative genomics analysis of 39 mammal species spanning three skin covering types (hairless, scaly and spiny), we found some genes (e.g., UVRAG, POLH, and XPC) involved in skin inflammation, skin innate immunity, and ultraviolet radiation damage repair were under selection in hairless ocean mammals (e.g., whales and manatees). These signatures might be associated with a high risk of skin diseases from pathogens and ultraviolet radiation...
January 19, 2021: Science China. Life Sciences