ArticleGenome biology2014
Conserved syntenic clusters of protein coding genes are missing in birds.
Article in Genome biology, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 70 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
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.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
70 citing papers in PubMed, 149 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparative and population genomics analyses of eared pheasants inhabiting highly varying altitudes.BMC genomics · 2026Article
- TRIM25 promotes antiviral innate immune response by stabilizing IRF7 and its nuclear translocation.mBio · 2026Article
- Decoding the Avian Missing Gene Mystery: Dot Chromosomes Unmask Extensive Gene Loss and Novel Genetic Instability.Genome biology and evolution · 2026Article
- Chromosomal rearrangements and segmental deletions contribute to gene loss in squamates.BMC biology · 2026Article
- Near telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies of Silkie Gallus gallus and Mallard Anas platyrhynchos restored the structure of chromosomes and "missing" genes in birds.Journal of animal science and biotechnology · 2025Article
- Article
- The ancestral type of the R-RAS protein has oncogenic potential.Cellular & molecular biology letters · 2024Article
- Conserved chromatin and repetitive patterns reveal slow genome evolution in frogs.Nature communications · 2024Article
- The draft genome of the Temminck's tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) with evolutionary implications.BMC genomics · 2023Article
- A chromosome-level genome assembly for the Silkie chicken resolves complete sequences for key chicken metabolic, reproductive, and immunity genes.Communications biology · 2023Article
- Development of specific monoclonal antibodies for the detection of natural chicken tumor necrosis factor-alpha.Heliyon · 2022Article
- New insights into the novel sequences of the chicken pan-genome by liquid chip.Journal of animal science · 2022Article
- False gene and chromosome losses in genome assemblies caused by GC content variation and repeats.Genome biology · 2022Article
- De Novo Assembly of 20 Chicken Genomes Reveals the Undetectable Phenomenon for Thousands of Core Genes on Microchromosomes and Subtelomeric Regions.Molecular biology and evolution · 2022Article
- Fourth Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes 2022.Cytogenetic and genome research · 2022Review
- Annotations of novel antennae-expressed genes in male Glossina morsitans morsitans tsetse flies.PloS one · 2022Article
- Three chromosome-level duck genome assemblies provide insights into genomic variation during domestication.Nature communications · 2021Article
- Sequencing refractory regions in bird genomes are hotspots for accelerated protein evolution.BMC ecology and evolution · 2021Article
- Natural loss of function of ephrin-B3 shapes spinal flight circuitry in birds.Science advances · 2021Article
- SLC2A12 of SLC2 Gene Family in Bird Provides Functional Compensation for the Loss of SLC2A4 Gene in Other Vertebrates.Molecular biology and evolution · 2021Article
10 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
- Commented on by
- Commented on by
- Commented on by
- Commented on by
Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundBirds are one of the most highly successful and diverse groups of vertebrates, having evolved a number of distinct characteristics, including feathers and wings, a sturdy lightweight skeleton and unique respiratory and urinary/excretion systems. However, the genetic basis of these traits is poorly understood.
resultsUsing comparative genomics based on extensive searches of 60 avian genomes, we have found that birds lack approximately 274 protein coding genes that are present in the genomes of most vertebrate lineages and are for the most part organized in conserved syntenic clusters in non-avian sauropsids and in humans. These genes are located in regions associated with chromosomal rearrangements, and are largely present in crocodiles, suggesting that their loss occurred subsequent to the split of dinosaurs/birds from crocodilians. Many of these genes are associated with lethality in rodents, human genetic disorders, or biological functions targeting various tissues. Functional enrichment analysis combined with orthogroup analysis and paralog searches revealed enrichments that were shared by non-avian species, present only in birds, or shared between all species.
conclusionsTogether these results provide a clearer definition of the genetic background of extant birds, extend the findings of previous studies on missing avian genes, and provide clues about molecular events that shaped avian evolution. They also have implications for fields that largely benefit from avian studies, including development, immune system, oncogenesis, and brain function and cognition. With regards to the missing genes, birds can be considered ‘natural knockouts’ that may become invaluable model organisms for several human diseases.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.