A molecular mechanism for bright color variation in parrots

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Arbore, Roberto; Barbosa, Soraia; Brejcha, Jindich; Ogawa, Yohey; Liu, Yu; Nicolai, Michael P. J.; Pereira, Paulo; Sabatino, Stephen J.; Cloutier, Alison; Poon, Emily Shui Kei; Marques, Cristiana I.; Andrade, Pedro; Debruyn, Gerben; Afonso, Sandra; Afonso, Rita; Roy, Shatadru Ghosh; Abdu, Uri; Lopes, Ricardo J.; Mojzes, Peter; Marsik, Petr; Sin, Simon Yung Wa; White, Michael A.; Araujo, Pedro M.; Corbo, Joseph C.; Carneiro, Miguel
• 署名单位: Universidade do Porto; Universidade do Porto; Washington University (WUSTL); Charles University Prague; Ghent University; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences; Universidade do Porto; University of Hong Kong; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; Universidade do Porto; Universidade de Lisboa; Charles University Prague; Czech University of Life Sciences Prague; Washington University (WUSTL); Washington University (WUSTL); Universidade de Coimbra
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-10150
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adp7710
• 发表日期: 2024-11-01
• 关键词: carotenoid coloration; genomic organization; sexual dichromatism; basement-membrane; zebra finch; r package; expression; dehydrogenase; EVOLUTION; feathers

摘要

Parrots produce stunning plumage colors through unique pigments called psittacofulvins. However, the mechanism underlying their ability to generate a spectrum of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens remains enigmatic. We uncover a unifying chemical basis for a wide range of parrot plumage colors, which result from the selective deposition of red aldehyde- and yellow carboxyl-containing psittacofulvin molecules in developing feathers. Through genetic mapping, biochemical assays, and single-cell genomics, we identified a critical player in this process, the aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH3A2, which oxidizes aldehyde psittacofulvins into carboxyl forms in late-differentiating keratinocytes during feather development. The simplicity of the underlying molecular mechanism, in which a single enzyme influences the balance of red and yellow pigments, offers an explanation for the exceptional evolutionary lability of parrot coloration.