Whale Genome as an Attractive Marine Resource Engages with the Development of Therapeutic Proteins

Abstract

Whales are marine mammals that are adapted to aquatic environment. To study the unique physiological features and molecular mechanisms based on the genetic characteristic of whales will provide the insight to understand the mechanism of human disease and contribute to drug-development. We analyzed genome sequences of minke whales and found whale-specific genes that are associated with the suitable life in an aquatic environment such as hypoxia and high salt conditions. Especially, we investigated whale-specific sequences of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), essential factors for animal development and physiology and suggested that the sequences are related to aquatic adaptation of whales. Furthermore, we applied unique amino-acid sequences of whales to develop biomedical materials and have improved the features of FGF2 and FGF7. In addition, we found out novel functions of fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) such as capillary-like endothelial tube formation, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α stabilization, and regulation of adipogenesis. The research of marine proteins based on the genetic characteristics of marine mammals is attractive and will promote the development of therapeutic proteins.