| Title |
Discovery of the Elusive Leptin in Birds: Identification of Several ‘Missing Links’ in the Evolution of Leptin and Its Receptor
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
PLOS ONE, March 2014
|
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0092751 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
Jeremy W. Prokop, Cameron Schmidt, Donald Gasper, Robert J. Duff, Amy Milsted, Takeshi Ohkubo, Hope C. Ball, Matthew D. Shawkey, Herman L. Mays, Larry A. Cogburn, Richard L. Londraville |
| Abstract |
Leptin is a pleiotropic protein best known for regulation of appetite and fat storage in mammals. While many leptin orthologs have been identified among vertebrates, an authentic leptin in birds has remained elusive and controversial. Here we identify leptin sequence from the Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus (pfleptin), and identify sequences from two other birds (mallard and zebra finch), and 'missing' vertebrates (elephant shark, alligator, Indian python, Chinese soft-shelled turtle, and coelacanth). The pattern of genes surrounding leptin (snd1, rbm28) is syntenic between the falcon and mammalian genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of all known leptin protein sequences improves our understanding of leptin's evolution. Structural modeling of leptin orthologs highlights a highly conserved hydrophobic core in the four-helix cytokine packing domain. A docked model of leptin with the leptin receptor for Peregrine falcon reveals several conserved amino acids important for the interaction and possible coevolution of leptin with its receptor. We also show for the first time, an authentic avian leptin sequence that activates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. These newly identified sequences, structures, and tools for avian leptin and its receptor will allow elucidation of the function of these proteins in feral and domestic birds. |
X Demographics
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Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 6 | 30% |
| United Kingdom | 3 | 15% |
| France | 1 | 5% |
| Israel | 1 | 5% |
| Thailand | 1 | 5% |
| Belgium | 1 | 5% |
| Unknown | 7 | 35% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 16 | 80% |
| Scientists | 4 | 20% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 66 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1 | 2% |
| Unknown | 65 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 15 | 23% |
| Student > Bachelor | 11 | 17% |
| Researcher | 8 | 12% |
| Student > Master | 8 | 12% |
| Student > Doctoral Student | 5 | 8% |
| Other | 12 | 18% |
| Unknown | 7 | 11% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 37 | 56% |
| Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 10 | 15% |
| Neuroscience | 3 | 5% |
| Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 2% |
| Chemical Engineering | 1 | 2% |
| Other | 5 | 8% |
| Unknown | 9 | 14% |