Genome of the Chinese tree shrew

TLDR

Chinese tree shrews are valuable experimental models for a range of human disorders, including depression, myopia, hepatitis B and C, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study provides the first publicly available annotated genome of the Chinese tree shrew and identifies genomic features shared with primates. The authors characterized key genes and signaling pathways in the nervous and immune systems to uncover shared and unique features underlying the tree shrew’s suitability as a biomedical model. Phylogenomic analysis confirms the tree shrew’s close affinity to primates, and the genome and pathway analyses reveal both shared and unique features in nervous and immune systems that support its use as a model organism.

Abstract

Chinese tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) possess many features valuable in animals used as experimental models in biomedical research. Currently, there are numerous attempts to employ tree shrews as models for a variety of human disorders: depression, myopia, hepatitis B and C virus infections, and hepatocellular carcinoma, to name a few. Here we present a publicly available annotated genome sequence for the Chinese tree shrew. Phylogenomic analysis of the tree shrew and other mammalians highly support its close affinity to primates. By characterizing key factors and signalling pathways in nervous and immune systems, we demonstrate that tree shrews possess both shared common and unique features, and provide a genetic basis for the use of this animal as a potential model for biomedical research. The Chinese tree shrew, Tupaia belangeri chinensis, has been proposed as a potential animal model in biomedical research and drug safety testing. This study presents the full genome of the Chinese tree shrew, identifying common features between the tree shrew and primates.