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Characterization and phylogeny of bitter taste receptor genes (Tas2r) in Squamata

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Abstract

The perception of bitter taste is linked to the detection of toxins. Therefore, it facilitates avoiding the consumption of potential toxins in the diet. At the molecular level, bitter taste is mediated by taste 2 receptors (Tas2rs). Studies on Tas2r have made major advances in recent years. However, little is known about Tas2rs in Squamata, the second largest order of extant vertebrates. To explore the repertoire and phylogenetic relationships among Tas2r genes in Squamata, we identified and characterized Tas2rs from genome assemblies of 15 Squamata species. We observed considerable Tas2r contraction and expansion in the suborders Serpentes and Lacertilia, respectively. Phylogenetic and reconciliation analysis suggested that lineage-specific gene gains and losses could have led to the Tas2r contraction and expansion in Squamata. Different Tas2r repertoires in Serpents and Lacertilia also reflect their oral anatomical features and taste behaviors. Our findings offer novel perspectives into the study of taste and dietary protection in Squamata species.

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Modified from (Rowland et al. 2015). a Dorsal (right) and ventral (left) palates of a generalized snake mouth. There are no taste buds on the tongue and there are a few on the lower jaw and the palate. b The tongue tip of most lizards is highly concentrated with taste papillae, indicated by denser hatching

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Special Fund for Forest Scientific Research in the Public Welfare (201404420) and the National Natural Science Fund of China (31872242, 31672313, and 31372220).

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  1. Huaming Zhong and Shuai Shang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, Shandong, China

    Huaming Zhong, Xiaoyang Wu & Honghai Zhang

  2. College of Marine Life, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China

    Shuai Shang, Huanxin Zhang & Jun Chen

  3. Shandong Key Laboratory of Eco-Environmental Science for the Yellow River Delta, Binzhou, Shandong, China

    Shuai Shang

  4. College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, Shandong, China

    Shuai Shang

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  1. Huaming Zhong
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Zhong, H., Shang, S., Zhang, H. et al. Characterization and phylogeny of bitter taste receptor genes (Tas2r) in Squamata. Genetica 147, 131–139 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-019-00056-4

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