通过增长基因的多个调节性变化,形状的演变
David W Loehlin1, John H Werren
1Department of Biology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA. loehlin@wisc.edu
概括
遗传变化推动了物种的差异. 研究人员发现,对未配对类 (upd-like) 基因调节的修改导致纳索尼亚黄蜂的雄性特异性翅膀大小和形状变化,为进化和发育提供了洞察力.
科学领域:
- 进化生物学是进化的生物学.
- 发育遗传学的发展遗传学.
- 进行比较的基因组学.
背景情况:
- 特定物种形态特征的遗传基础在很大程度上是未知的.
- 了解生长修改对于进化和发育研究至关重要.
- 性别特定的形态差异是进化研究的关键领域.
研究的目的:
- 为了确定负责纳索尼亚黄蜂物种之间的形态和性别特异性差异的基因.
- 调查驱动翅膀大小和形状变化的遗传机制.
- 探索基因调节在微观进化中的作用.
主要方法:
- 在纳索尼亚黄蜂中细度基因映射.
- 在现场杂交以分析基因表达模式.
- 基因同质性与Drosophila未配对基因的比较分析.
主要成果:
- 一个基因,非配对类 (upd-like),被确定为诱导男性特异性的翅膀大小和形状差异.
- 至少三个调节区域的变化,包括非编码序列,会影响upd-like表达.
- 变化的空间和时间上升式表达与翅膀宽度的变化相关.
结论:
- 在upd-like中发生的多种监管变化,有助于形态和性别特征的微观演变.
- 非编码序列变异在进化变化中起着重要作用.
- 这项研究为了解基因调节如何推动物种多样化提供了一个模型.
相关概念视频
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Gene expression can be regulated at almost every step from gene to protein. Transcription is the step that is most commonly regulated. This involves the binding of proteins to short regulatory sequences on the DNA. This association can either promote or inhibit the transcription of a gene associated with the respective sequence.
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Morphogenesis
Plant morphogenesis—the development of a plant’s form and structure—involves several overlapping developmental processes, including growth and cell differentiation. Precursor cells differentiate into specific cell types, which are organized into the tissues and organ systems that make up the functional plant.
Gene Duplication and Divergence
The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.


