Comparative evolutionary analysis on the olfactory and other chemosensory receptor gene families using whole genome sequences

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Odor molecules in the environment are detected by olfactory receptors (ORs). Reflecting the diversity of odorants, vertebrate genomes harbor numerous OR genes. In this study, I have examined the relationships between degeneration of olfactory ability (decrease in the number of OR genes) and development of color vision (acquisition of trichromatic vision). As a result, contrary to the previous view, I showed that there are no direct links between them. Moreover, I investigated genome sequences from diverse organisms including amphioxus, which is a basal chordate species (relatives of vertebrates). I then revealed the origin and the early evolution of OR gene families.