S. Kuraku

Tandem gene clusters as phylogenetic anchors reveal the hidden history of vertebrate visual opsins

The paper investigates the evolutionary history of visual opsins in vertebrates by analyzing jawless vertebrate genomes and finds evidence of tandem duplications before vertebrate radiation.

Latent taste diversity revealed by a vertebrate-wide catalogue of T1R receptors

The paper identifies five new TAS1R receptors in vertebrates, revealing greater taste receptor diversity than previously thought and their functional roles in ligand recognition.

Meta-analysis of gonadal transcriptome provides novel insights into sex change mechanism across protogynous fishes

The paper performs a meta-analysis of gonadal transcriptomes across seven protogynous fish species to identify shared regulatory factors in sex change, finding novel genes and highlighting cholesterol dynamics as a potential universal influence.

Elasmobranch genome sequencing reveals evolutionary trends of vertebrate karyotypic organization

This study sequenced elasmobranch genomes to reveal evolutionary trends in vertebrate karyotypic organization, identifying a shark X chromosome and patterns of intragenomic heterogeneity.

Gene fate spectrum as a reflection of local genomic properties

The paper identifies elusive genes lost in multiple mammalian lineages and links their loss to ancient genomic features like high mutation rates and gene density.

Whale shark rhodopsin adapted to its vertically wide-ranging lifestyle

This study identifies two amino acid sites in whale shark rhodopsin that contribute to its blue shift and thermal stability, enabling its wide vertical range.

Whole genome duplications and the diversification of the Globin-X genes of vertebrates

This study investigates the evolution of GbX genes in vertebrates, showing that whole genome duplications have led to diverse GbX paralogs with distinct retention rates and functional implications.

Developmental hourglass and heterochronic shifts in fin and limb development

The paper compares gene expression and chromatin accessibility in fish fins and tetrapod limbs to identify developmental constraints and heterochronic shifts during fin-to-limb evolution.

Evolution of Nodal and Nodal-related genes and the putative composition of the heterodimer that triggers the Nodal pathway in vertebrates

This study investigates the evolutionary history of Nodal and Nodal-related genes in vertebrates and infers the composition of Nodal pathway-activating heterodimers.