鸟类羽毛色素的合成机理与调控机制

鸟类作为色彩最丰富的陆生脊椎动物,其体表覆盖着颜色多样的羽毛,在伪装、择偶、信号识别等多方面具有重要功能,因此羽毛颜色引起了研究者的极大兴趣。羽毛颜色总体分为由化学物质产生的色素色和由物理结构产生的结构色,其中常见色素有两大类。根据近年来对羽毛色素的研究进展,本文总结了黑色素和类胡萝卜素的类型、合成途径、获取途径以及相关基因,为深入研究羽毛色素合成、代谢的分子调控机制提供科学依据。

The Synthesis and Regulation Mechanisms of Avian Plumage Pigmentation

As the most colorful terrestrial vertebrates, birds are covered under varieties of feathers with multiple functions, such as camouflage, mate choice, signal recognition. These brilliant colors attract scientists to put their sights on the subject of bird coloration. Birds use a series of chemical pigments and physical structures to produce a diverse color palette. Melanins and carotenoids are two major classes of common compounds in plumage colors. Melanins are synthetized in vivo while carotenoids are derived from diet. It would be helpful to further investigate the molecular regulation mechanisms by reviewing the pigmentations, identifications and genetics of melanins and carotenoids.