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Selective sweeps in Cryptocercus woodroach antifungal proteins.

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The antifungal gene termicin was found in wood-eating cockroaches, suggesting its role evolved before termites diverged from cockroaches. Similar selection pressures on termicin and related genes indicate shared evolutionary paths with termites, likely due to fungal pathogens.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Insect genetics
  • Antimicrobial peptides

Background:

  • Termicin is an antifungal gene crucial for termite immunity.
  • Cryptocercus woodroaches are the closest living relatives to termites.
  • Understanding termicin's evolution can shed light on insect-pathogen interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and analyze the termicin gene in Cryptocercus woodroaches.
  • To investigate the evolutionary history and selection pressures on termicin and related immune genes (GNBP1, GNBP2) in Cryptocercus.
  • To compare the evolutionary patterns of these genes in Cryptocercus with their termite orthologues.

Main Methods:

  • Gene identification and sequencing of termicin, GNBP1, and GNBP2 in multiple Cryptocercus species.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships.
  • Selection analysis using methods like detecting selective sweeps and analyzing synonymous site divergence.

Main Results:

  • Termicin was identified in three Cryptocercus species, indicating its ancient origin.
  • Evidence of past selective sweeps was found in Cryptocercus termicin and GNBP2 genes.
  • A conserved variant of GNBP2 was maintained across Cryptocercus species, despite synonymous site divergence.
  • Cryptocercus termicin and GNBP2 show similar selective pressures to their termite counterparts.

Conclusions:

  • The antifungal role of termicin predates the termite-cockroach divergence.
  • Cryptocercus woodroaches share similar immune gene evolution with termites, likely driven by common exposure to fungal pathogens like Metarhizium.
  • This study highlights the deep evolutionary roots of termite-like immunity in cockroaches.