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Evolution under monogamy feminizes gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster
Brian Hollis1, David Houle2, Zheng Yan1
1Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland.
Nature Communications
|March 19, 2014
Summary
Evolutionary tension between male and female adaptation is widespread. Relaxing male-specific selection in Drosophila melanogaster revealed feminization of gene expression, indicating suboptimal sex-specific expression.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Gene expression
Background:
- Sexually dimorphic gene expression arises from divergent selection between sexes.
- The extent of independent evolution of sex-specific gene expression is debated due to shared genomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of relaxed male-specific selection on sex-specific gene expression.
- To determine if sexually antagonistic selection drives suboptimal gene expression in either sex.
Main Methods:
- Experimental evolution in Drosophila melanogaster over 100 generations.
- Enforcement of a monogamous mating system to reduce male-specific selection pressures.
- Transcriptome analysis (whole-body and head) to compare gene expression between monogamous and polygamous populations.
Main Results:
- Monogamy led to feminization of gene expression in both sexes, suggesting a shift towards female optima.
- Male-biased genes decreased in expression, while female-biased genes increased in expression under monogamy.
- Significant evolutionary tension between male and female adaptive optima was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Suboptimal sex-specific gene expression is prevalent across the genome.
- Sexually antagonistic selection plays a significant role in shaping gene expression.
- Experimental evolution provides insights into the constraints on independent adaptation of gene expression in males and females.
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