TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolution of lactation: Ancient origin and extreme adaptations of the lactation system
AU - Lefevre, Christophe Marc
AU - Sharp, Julie A
AU - Nicholas, Kevin R
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Lactation, an important characteristic of mammalian reproduction, has evolved by exploiting a diversity of strategies across mammals. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics experiments have now allowed a more in depth analysis of the molecular evolution of lactation. Milk cell and mammary gland genomic studies have started to reveal conserved milk proteins and other components of the lactation system of monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian lineages. These analyses confirm the ancient origin of the lactation system and provide useful insight into the function of specific milk proteins in the control of lactation. These studies also illuminate the role of milk in the regulation of growth and development of the young beyond simple nutritive aspects.
AB - Lactation, an important characteristic of mammalian reproduction, has evolved by exploiting a diversity of strategies across mammals. Comparative genomics and transcriptomics experiments have now allowed a more in depth analysis of the molecular evolution of lactation. Milk cell and mammary gland genomic studies have started to reveal conserved milk proteins and other components of the lactation system of monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian lineages. These analyses confirm the ancient origin of the lactation system and provide useful insight into the function of specific milk proteins in the control of lactation. These studies also illuminate the role of milk in the regulation of growth and development of the young beyond simple nutritive aspects.
UR - http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/pdf/10.1146/annurev-genom-082509-141806
U2 - 10.1146/annurev-genom-082509-141806
DO - 10.1146/annurev-genom-082509-141806
M3 - Article
SN - 1527-8204
VL - 11
SP - 219
EP - 238
JO - Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
JF - Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics
ER -