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<h1><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">The tiger genome and comparative analysis with lion and snow leopard genomes</span></span></strong></h1>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Abstract</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Tigers and their close relatives (<em>Panthera</em>) are some of the world’s most endangered species. Here we report the <em>de novo</em> assembly of an Amur tiger whole-genome sequence as well as the genomic sequences of a white Bengal tiger, African lion, white African lion and snow leopard. Through comparative genetic analyses of these genomes, we find genetic signatures that may reflect molecular adaptations consistent with the big cats’ hypercarnivorous diet and muscle strength. We report a snow leopard-specific genetic determinant in <em>EGLN1</em> (Met39>Lys39), which is likely to be associated with adaptation to high altitude. We also detect a <em>TYR</em>260G>A mutation likely responsible for the white lion coat colour. Tiger and cat genomes show similar repeat composition and an appreciably conserved synteny. Genomic data from the five big cats provide an invaluable resource for resolving easily identifiable phenotypes evident in very close, but distinct, species.</span></span></p>
<p><img alt="Figure 1" src="http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/ncomms/2013/130917/ncomms3433/images_hires/m685/ncomms3433-f1.jpg" style="float:left; height:158px; width:400px" /> <img alt="Figure 4" src="http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/ncomms/2013/130917/ncomms3433/images_hires/m685/ncomms3433-f4.jpg" style="height:483px; width:400px" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Conclusion</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">The Amur tiger genome is the first reference genome sequenced from the <em>Panthera</em> lineage and the second from the Felidae species. For comparative genomic analyses of big cats, we additionally sequenced four other <em>Panthera</em> genomes and tried to predict possible big cats’ molecular adaptations consistent with the obligatory meat eating and muscle strength of the predatory <em>Panthera</em> lineage.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Our data from tigers, lions and snow leopard can provide a rich and diverse genome resource that could be used in future studies of conservation and population genomics so that the genetic underpinnings of local adaptation and potential inbreeding and/or outbreeding<sup><a href="http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms3433#ref10" id="ref-link-section-42" title="Allendorf, F. W., Hohenlohe, P. A. & Luikart, G. Genomics and the future of conservation genetics. Nat. Rev. Genet. 11, 697–709 (2010).">10</a></sup> in wild and captive populations can be illuminated and thereby help ensure the future survival of these majestic species.</span></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Abstract</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Tigers and their close relatives (<em>Panthera</em>) are some of the world’s most endangered species. Here we report the <em>de novo</em> assembly of an Amur tiger whole-genome sequence as well as the genomic sequences of a white Bengal tiger, African lion, white African lion and snow leopard. Through comparative genetic analyses of these genomes, we find genetic signatures that may reflect molecular adaptations consistent with the big cats’ hypercarnivorous diet and muscle strength. We report a snow leopard-specific genetic determinant in <em>EGLN1</em> (Met39>Lys39), which is likely to be associated with adaptation to high altitude. We also detect a <em>TYR</em>260G>A mutation likely responsible for the white lion coat colour. Tiger and cat genomes show similar repeat composition and an appreciably conserved synteny. Genomic data from the five big cats provide an invaluable resource for resolving easily identifiable phenotypes evident in very close, but distinct, species.</span></span></p>
<p><img alt="Figure 1" src="http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/ncomms/2013/130917/ncomms3433/images_hires/m685/ncomms3433-f1.jpg" style="float:left; height:158px; width:400px" /> <img alt="Figure 4" src="http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/ncomms/2013/130917/ncomms3433/images_hires/m685/ncomms3433-f4.jpg" style="height:483px; width:400px" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Conclusion</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">The Amur tiger genome is the first reference genome sequenced from the <em>Panthera</em> lineage and the second from the Felidae species. For comparative genomic analyses of big cats, we additionally sequenced four other <em>Panthera</em> genomes and tried to predict possible big cats’ molecular adaptations consistent with the obligatory meat eating and muscle strength of the predatory <em>Panthera</em> lineage.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:comic sans ms,cursive">Our data from tigers, lions and snow leopard can provide a rich and diverse genome resource that could be used in future studies of conservation and population genomics so that the genetic underpinnings of local adaptation and potential inbreeding and/or outbreeding<sup><a href="http://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms3433#ref10" id="ref-link-section-42" title="Allendorf, F. W., Hohenlohe, P. A. & Luikart, G. Genomics and the future of conservation genetics. Nat. Rev. Genet. 11, 697–709 (2010).">10</a></sup> in wild and captive populations can be illuminated and thereby help ensure the future survival of these majestic species.</span></span></p>
