Modelling the influence of parental effects on gene-network evolution
Andreas Odorico1, Estelle Rünneburger1, Arnaud Le Rouzic1
1Laboratoire Évolution, Génomes, Comportement, Écologie, CNRS, IRD, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|February 24, 2018
Summary
Nongenetic inheritance (NGI) significantly impacts evolution, especially in fast-developing organisms, enhancing adaptation and mutation robustness. However, it can reduce robustness to environmental changes, influencing evolutionary trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Nongenetic heredity is increasingly recognized for its role in evolution.
- Gene expression inheritance, a form of nongenetic inheritance (NGI), requires further investigation.
- Classical gene-network models typically do not account for phenotypic inheritance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary impact of nongenetic inheritance of gene expression.
- To determine the role of ontogenetic time in the evolutionary effects of NGI.
- To analyze how NGI influences adaptation, mutation robustness, and environmental robustness.
Main Methods:
- Modification of a classical gene-network model to include parental transmission of gene expression.
- Individual-based simulations to study evolutionary properties.
- Analysis of the impact of ontogenetic time on gene network evolution.
Main Results:
- Ontogenetic time is crucial: fast development enhances adaptation and mutation robustness under NGI.
- Long development periods reduce the influence of inherited gene network states.
- NGI negatively affects the evolution of robustness to environmental disturbances.
Conclusions:
- The evolutionary consequences of NGI extend beyond adaptation to selection, influencing emergent properties like canalization.
- Developmental speed critically modulates the impact of NGI on evolutionary adaptation and robustness.
- NGI's role in the evolution of genetic architectures and robustness to environmental factors warrants further study.
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