DOI: 10.5061/dryad.kh186
title: Data from: Molecular evolution of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 gene Nrf2 in Old World fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

description: Mammals developed antioxidant systems to defend against oxidative damage
 in their daily life. Enzymatic antioxidants and low molecular weight
 antioxidants (LMWAs) constitute major parts of the antioxidant systems.
 Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2, encoded by the Nrf2
 gene) is a central transcriptional regulator, regulating transcription, of
 many antioxidant enzymes. Frugivorous bats eat large amounts of fruits
 that contain high levels of LMWAs such as vitamin C, thus, a reliance on
 LMWAs might greatly reduce the need for antioxidant enzymes in comparison
 to insectivorous bats. Therefore, it is possible that frugivorous bats
 have a reduced need for Nrf2 function due to their substantial intake of
 diet-antioxidants. To test whether the Nrf2 gene has undergone relaxed
 evolution in fruit-eating bats, we obtained Nrf2 sequences from 16 species
 of bats, including four Old World fruit bats (Pteropodidae) and one New
 World fruit bat (Phyllostomidae). Our molecular evolutionary analyses
 revealed changes in the selection pressure acting on Nrf2 gene and
 identified seven specific amino acid substitutions that occurred on the
 ancestral lineage leading to Old World fruit bats. Biochemical experiments
 were conducted to examine Nrf2 in Old World fruit bats and showed that the
 amount of catalase, which is regulated by Nrf2, was significantly lower in
 the brain, heart and liver of Old World fruit bats despite higher levels
 of Nrf2 protein in Old World fruit bats. Computational predictions suggest
 that three of these seven amino acid replacements might be deleterious to
 Nrf2 function. Therefore, the results suggest that Nrf2 gene might have
 experienced relaxed constraint in Old World fruit bats, however, we cannot
 rule out the possibility of positive selection. Our study provides the
 first data on the molecular adaptation of Nrf2 gene in frugivorous bats in
 compensation to the increased levels of LWMAs from their fruit-diet.
description: Unconstrained Nrf2
 Bayesian phylogenetic tree and Nrf2 coding sequencesThis is an NEXUS
 file,which including the Nrf2 coding sequences from 21 mammals and a
 unconstrained Nrf2 Bayesian phylogenetic tree. A Bayesian phylogenetic
 tree was reconstructed based on the aligned Nrf2 nucleotide sequences
 using MrBayes 3.1.2. Values on the nodes are posterior probabilities.The
 branch length information is also included. Nrf2 coding sequence from 21
 species used in this study, including 16 chiropteran species and 5 other
 mammals.The species we used in this study are listed as follow. Cynopterus
 sphinx, Rousettus leschenaultia, Pteropus vampyus, Pteropus alecto,
 Artibeus jamaicensis, Pteronotus parnelli, Myotis ricketti, Myotis
 brandtti, Myotis davidii, Myotis lucifugus, Pipistrellus abramus,
 Hipposideros pratti, Rhinolophus pusillus, Megaderma lyra, Megaderma
 spasma, Taphozous melanopogon, Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Canis
 familiaris, Bos taurus, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus.Nrf2
 nucleotide.nexUnconstrained Nrf2
 Bayesian phylogenetic tree and species treeThis is a TIFF picture
 of Unconstrained Nrf2 Bayesian phylogenetic tree and species
 tree.