Convergent and lineage-specific genomic changes shape adaptations in sugar-consuming birds.
High-sugar diets cause human metabolic diseases, yet several bird lineages convergently adapted to feeding on sugar-rich nectar or fruits. We investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms in hummingbirds, parrots, honeyeaters, and sunbirds by generating nine new genomes and 90 tissue-specific transcriptomes. Comparative screens revealed an excess of repeated selection in both protein-coding and regulatory sequences in sugar-feeding birds, suggesting reuse of genetic elements. Sequence or expression changes in sugar-feeders affect genes involved in blood pressure regulation and lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism, with experiments showing functional changes in honeyeater hexokinase 3. MLXIPL, a key regulator of sugar and lipid homeostasis, showed convergent sequence and regulatory changes across all sugar-feeding clades; experiments revealed enhanced sugar-induced transcriptional activity of hummingbird MLXIPL, highlighting its adaptive role in high-sugar diets.
Authors
Osipova Osipova, Ko Ko, Petricek Petricek, Sin Sin, Brown Brown, Winkler Winkler, Pippel Pippel, Jarrells Jarrells, Weiche Weiche, Mosbech Mosbech, Taborsak-Lines Taborsak-Lines, Wang Wang, Contreras-Lopez Contreras-Lopez, Olsen Olsen, Ewels Ewels, Mendez-Aranda Mendez-Aranda, Gaede Gaede, Sadanandan Sadanandan, Low Low, Monte Monte, Ballerstädt Ballerstädt, Adreani Adreani, Mentesana Mentesana, von Bayern von Bayern, Rico-Guevara Rico-Guevara, Edwards Edwards, Frankl-Vilches Frankl-Vilches, Kuhl Kuhl, Bakker Bakker, Gahr Gahr, Altshuler Altshuler, Buttemer Buttemer, Schupp Schupp, Baldwin Baldwin, Hiller Hiller, Sackton Sackton
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