Biologists solve the mystery of Darwin's pigeon and discover the relationship between unexpected discovery and human genetic diseases

Darwin was obsessed with raising pigeons

Among the dazzling characteristics of pigeons, Darwin noticed their beaks, which vary greatly in size and shape

Today, modern geneticists follow in Darwin's footsteps and finally solve the mystery of the length of the domestic pigeon's beak

Surprisingly, mutations in the ROR2 gene are also related to a human genetic disease

In the laboratory where Dr.

▲The short-beak breed Old German Owl and the medium-beak breed Racing Homer (Racing Homer) were crossed, and the F2's beak showed various lengths between the two (picture source: reference [2])

The researchers used high-resolution micro-CT scans to carefully measure the beaks of these pigeons and determined that the difference in length was not due to changes in the shape or body shape of the skull

Next, they compared the genomes of pigeons, used a method called quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to find specific DNA sequence variations in the entire genome, and observed which variations were associated with the characteristics of the short beak, and found it Candidate gene locus

▲Representatives of short-beaked varieties and medium-long-beaked varieties (picture source: reference [1]; Credit: Thomas Hellmann)

In addition to their own hybrid pigeons, this research team has also established close contacts with many ornamental pigeon breeding enthusiasts and racing pigeon clubs

▲Combining different methods, the candidate gene ROR2 that causes short beak was found on the sex chromosomes of pigeons (picture source: reference [1])

The researchers further analyzed that from a developmental perspective, why the ROR2 gene can regulate the beak length of pigeons, because the Wnt signaling pathway involved in the ROR2 protein plays an important role in the development of vertebrate craniofacial morphology

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Reference materials:

[1] Elena Boer et al.

[2] Darwin's short-beak enigma solved.