Professors Liu Chang and Qu Kai Published Significant Findings on Origins of Liver Function in 'Nature: Ecology & Evolution'

The research team led by Professors Liu Chang and Qu Kai from the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, in collaboration with Professors Wang Wen, Qiu Qiang, and Wang Kun from the School of Ecology and Environment at Northwestern Polytechnical University, published their groundbreaking research titled "Single-cell analysis of the amphioxus hepatic caecum and vertebrate liver reveals genetic mechanisms of vertebrate liver evolution" on August 16, 2024, in Nature: Ecology & Evolution online.

The liver is one of the organs with most complex function in the human body. The origins and evolution of liver function have long been a mystery in biology, deeply related to the intricate metabolic processes within organisms and their ability to adapt to environmental changes. Throughout the evolutionary history of vertebrates, the morphology and function of the liver have undergone significant transformations, yet the detailed genetic mechanisms underlying these changes remain poorly understood. This study employs multi-omics analysis techniques to delve into the homologies and differences between the primitive liver of amphioxus and the liver of vertebrates, constructing an evolutionary map of liver function and revealing the critical role of genome duplication events in shaping complex liver functions such as regeneration, bile formation, and synthesis of coagulation factors. Furthermore, through functional studies, the researchers confirmed that liver sinusoid formation mediated by the kdr and flt4 genes is a key event in the evolutionary development of liver function of vertebrates.

These findings challenge the traditional perspective that organ evolution is primarily driven by changes in gene regulatory elements, highlighting the significance of gene duplication in the formation and functional evolution of complex organs. Notable French scholars, Professors Francisca Hervas-Sotomayor and Florent Murat, have specifically published a commentary praising the innovation of this research.

The Nature: Ecology & Evolution is a highly influential journal in the fields of biology and ecology. Statistical data from the past three years shows that articles published in this journal predominantly feature research from Western scholars, with only 109 articles from Chinese mainland scholars during the same period, ranking fifth globally. This research was funded by several significant projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Key Industries' Innovation Chain Project of the Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Program.