ArticleBMC evolutionary biology2014
Dynamic evolution of the alpha (α) and beta (β) keratins has accompanied integument diversification and the adaptation of birds into novel lifestyles.
Article in BMC evolutionary biology, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 54 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
54 citing papers in PubMed, 108 citations in OpenAlex.
- Immunohistochemical study of α-keratin, loricrin, filaggrin-like protein, and transglutaminase-1 expression in orthokeratinized and parakeratinized epithelium of the tongue of domestic goose (Anser anser f. domestica) during embryonic development.Histochemistry and cell biology · 2026Article
- Increased production of the important broad-range endolytic protease proteinase K by the fungus Parengyodontium album through adaptation of the growth medium.Bioprocess and biosystems engineering · 2026Article
- Functional identification of a feather-degrading thermitase-like S8 serine protease fromFrontiers in microbiology · 2026Article
- Structural and Functional Elements of the Epidermal Appendages in Birds and Reptiles: Conformations and Modes of Assembly of the Constituent β-Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments (IF).Sub-cellular biochemistry · 2026Review
- The Epithelial Egg Tooth of the Chicken Shares Protein Markers with the Embryonic Subperiderm and Feathers.Journal of developmental biology · 2025Article
- Genome assembly and insights into globally invasive Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer).DNA research : an international journal for rapid publication of reports on genes and genomes · 2025Article
- Enhancing spinach growth with a biofertilizer derived from chicken feathers using a keratinolytic bacterial consortium.BMC microbiology · 2025Article
- An update on thermostable keratinases for protein engineering against feather pollutants.Applied microbiology and biotechnology · 2025Review
- Skin Appendage Proteins of Tetrapods: Building Blocks of Claws, Feathers, Hair and Other Cornified Epithelial Structures.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025Review
- A high-quality reference genome for the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) enables investigations of cell cultures as a genomic resource for endangered species.GigaScience · 2025Article
- Article
- Keratin from Animal By-Products: Structure, Characterization, Extraction and Application-A Review.Polymers · 2024Review
- Conserved regulatory switches for the transition from natal down to juvenile feather in birds.Nature communications · 2024Article
- 200 years of taxonomic confusion: Sporendonema and allies.Antonie van Leeuwenhoek · 2024Article
- Development-Associated Genes of the Epidermal Differentiation Complex (EDC).Journal of developmental biology · 2024Review
- New chromosome-scale genomes provide insights into marine adaptations of sea snakes (Hydrophis: Elapidae).BMC biology · 2023Article
- Transition from natal downs to juvenile feathers: conserved regulatory switches in Neoaves.Research square · 2023Article
- The idiosyncratic genome of Korean long-tailed chicken as a valuable genetic resource.iScience · 2023Article
- Regional specific differentiation of integumentary organs: SATB2 is involved in α- and β-keratin gene cluster switching in the chicken.Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists · 2022Article
- Environmental Factors Affecting Feather Taphonomy.Biology · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 5 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundVertebrate skin appendages are constructed of keratins produced by multigene families. Alpha (α) keratins are found in all vertebrates, while beta (β) keratins are found exclusively in reptiles and birds. We have studied the molecular evolution of these gene families in the genomes of 48 phylogenetically diverse birds and their expression in the scales and feathers of the chicken.
resultsWe found that the total number of α-keratins is lower in birds than mammals and non-avian reptiles, yet two α-keratin genes (KRT42 and KRT75) have expanded in birds. The β-keratins, however, demonstrate a dynamic evolution associated with avian lifestyle. The avian specific feather β-keratins comprise a large majority of the total number of β-keratins, but independently derived lineages of aquatic and predatory birds have smaller proportions of feather β-keratin genes and larger proportions of keratinocyte β-keratin genes. Additionally, birds of prey have a larger proportion of claw β-keratins. Analysis of α- and β-keratin expression during development of chicken scales and feathers demonstrates that while α-keratins are expressed in these tissues, the number and magnitude of expressed β-keratin genes far exceeds that of α-keratins.
conclusionsThese results support the view that the number of α- and β-keratin genes expressed, the proportion of the β-keratin subfamily genes expressed and the diversification of the β-keratin genes have been important for the evolution of the feather and the adaptation of birds into multiple ecological niches.
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