Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
11:41
Real Time and Repeated Measurement of Skeletal Muscle Growth in Individual Live Zebrafish Subjected to Altered Electrical Activity
Published on: June 16, 2022
Evolution of shape by multiple regulatory changes to a growth gene
David W Loehlin1, John H Werren
1Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA. loehlin@wisc.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 25, 2012
Summary
Genetic changes drive species differences. Researchers found that modifications in the regulation of the unpaired-like (upd-like) gene cause male-specific wing size and shape variations in Nasonia wasps, offering insights into evolution and development.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental genetics
- Comparative genomics
Background:
- Genetic underpinnings of species-specific morphological traits remain largely unknown.
- Understanding growth modifications is crucial for evolutionary and developmental studies.
- Sex-specific morphological differences present a key area for evolutionary investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes responsible for morphological and sex-specific differences between Nasonia wasp species.
- To investigate the genetic mechanisms driving wing size and shape variation.
- To explore the role of gene regulation in microevolution.
Main Methods:
- Fine-scale genetic mapping in Nasonia wasps.
- In situ hybridization to analyze gene expression patterns.
- Comparative analysis of gene homology with Drosophila unpaired gene.
Main Results:
- A gene, unpaired-like (upd-like), was identified as inducing male-specific wing size and shape differences.
- Changes in at least three regulatory regions, including noncoding sequences, affect upd-like expression.
- Altered spatial and temporal upd-like expression correlates with changes in wing width.
Conclusions:
- Multiple regulatory changes in upd-like contribute to the microevolution of morphological and sex-specific traits.
- Noncoding sequence variations play a significant role in evolutionary changes.
- The study provides a model for understanding how gene regulation drives species diversification.
Related Concept Videos
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
02:24Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
01:23Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
02:19Morphogenesis
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
02:37Gene Duplication and Divergence
The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.