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. 2023 Dec 5;14:8054. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-43623-2

Fig. 7. Evolution of HMM-HA in subterranean species.

Fig. 7

Subterranean species exhibit high amount of HMM-HA in their tissues. This is achieved by altering the expression of HAS2 and HYAL genes, combined with positively selected or convergent mutations. HMM-HA confers elasticity to the skin and protects from oxidative stress, both contributing to the adaptation to subterranean habitats. This adaptation may be further coopted to provide cancer resistance and longevity to subterranean species. Red and blue arrows indicate higher and lower expression, respectively. c, convergently evolving genes. *, positively selected genes. x, pseudogenization.