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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Molecular biology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Centromeres are crucial for chromosome segregation but show diverse DNA sequences and kinetochore proteins across species.
  • The selfish centromere model proposes an evolutionary arms race between centromeric DNA and kinetochore proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the selfish centromere model in a natural population of Mimulus guttatus.
  • To investigate the co-evolutionary dynamics between driving centromeres and kinetochore proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative genetic mapping to identify modifiers of meiotic drive.
  • Population genetics analyses to detect selective sweeps.
  • Structural and genetic characterization of centromeric DNA.

Main Results:

  • A driving centromere (D haplotype) in Mimulus guttatus is structurally distinct and has rapidly increased in frequency.
  • Drive strength is context-dependent, influenced by competitor chromosome vulnerability and an unlinked modifier.
  • The kinetochore protein Centromere-specific Histone 3 A (CenH3A) shows evidence of a recent selective sweep, linked to drive interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Demonstrates an active co-evolutionary arms race between centromeric DNA and kinetochore proteins in Mimulus.
  • Highlights the role of meiotic drive in rapid molecular and fitness evolution.
  • Provides evidence for adaptive evolution of kinetochore proteins in response to selfish centromeres.