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Y‐chromosomal red‐green opsin genes of nocturnal New World monkey 1
Author(s) -
Kawamura Shoji,
Takenaka Naomi,
Hiramatsu Chihiro,
Hirai Momoki,
Takenaka Osamu
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)03414-2
Subject(s) - opsin , pseudogene , biology , gene , genetics , gene duplication , chromosome , trichromacy , rhodopsin , genome , color vision , botany , retinal , computer science , computer vision
The X‐chromosomal locality of the red‐green‐sensitive opsin genes has been the norm for all mammals and is essential for color vision of higher primates. Owl monkeys ( Aotus ), a genus of New World monkeys, are the only nocturnal higher primates and are severely color‐blind. We demonstrate that the owl monkeys possess extra red‐green opsin genes on the Y‐chromosome. The Y‐linked opsin genes were found to be extremely varied, in one male appearing to be a functional gene and in other males to be multicopy pseudogenes. These Y‐linked opsin genes should offer a rare opportunity to study the evolutionary fate of genes translocated to the Y chromosome.