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Possible stochastic sex determination in Bursaphelenchus nematodes
Ryoji Shinya1, Simo Sun2, Mehmet Dayi2,3
1School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.
Nature Communications
|May 13, 2022
Summary
Sex determination in Bursaphelenchus nematodes appears to be regulated epigenetically, not by chromosomes or environment. This suggests a unique evolutionary path for nematode sex determination, possibly starting from downstream regulators like tra-1.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genetics
- Nematology
Background:
- Sex determination mechanisms evolve rapidly, with Caenorhabditis elegans using XX-XO chromosomal systems.
- Knowledge of sex determination in nematodes is limited beyond C. elegans.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate sex determination in two Bursaphelenchus nematode species.
- Determine if sex determination is chromosomal, environmental, or epigenetic.
Main Methods:
- Sex-specific genome sequencing
- Genetic analysis
- Mutant screening for sex differentiation
Main Results:
- No detectable chromosomal differences between males and females.
- Absence of genes for X chromosome dosage compensation.
- Identification of a Bursaphelenchus ortholog of the C. elegans tra-1 gene.
Conclusions:
- Sex determination in these nematodes is likely epigenetic and random.
- Nematode sex determination may evolve via downstream gene accretion, exemplified by tra-1.
