The researchers found several other unique characteristics to this odd mammal's genome. However, the platypus genome harbors both reptilian and mammalian genes associated with the fertilization of eggs-particularly interestingly, since the female platypus lays eggs. Like other mammals, the platypus genome contains a tightly clustered set of genes that produce the casein proteins that make up milk. The platypus shares more than 80% of its genes with other mammals whose genomes have been sequenced. The team found that the platypus genome contains about the same number of protein-coding genes as other mammals-approximately 18,500. The researchers then compared the genome with the well-characterized genomes of the human, mouse, dog, opossum and chicken, as well as the draft genome sequence of the green anole lizard. Louis, part of NHGRI's Large-Scale Sequencing Research Network. The sequencing was led by the Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. In a paper published in the May 8, 2008, issue of the journal Nature, an international team of researchers supported in part by NHGRI analyzed a high-quality draft genome sequence of Glennie, a female platypus from Australia. "But as weird as this animal looks, its genome sequence is priceless for understanding how fundamental mammalian biological processes have evolved." Collins, director of NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). "At first glance, the platypus appears as if it was the result of an evolutionary accident," said Dr. It has other peculiarities, too-for example, it boasts what looks like a duck's bill and houses an electrosensory system used when foraging for food underwater. The duck-billed platypus, native to Australia, is one of the few mammals that lays eggs. The first analysis of the genome sequence of the duck-billed platypus, whose ancestors split from the rest of mammalian lineage some 166 million years ago, revealed clues about how genomes were organized during the early evolution of mammals.
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