Collaborative Research: The Chemical Basis of Ethological Isolation

合作研究：行为学隔离的化学基础

• 批准号: 9709355
• 负责人: Richard Feldhoff
• 金额: $ 6.5万
• 依托单位: University of Louisville Research Foundation Inc
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-07-01 至 1999-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9709355&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Chemical; Basis; Ethological

9709355 Feldhoff Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying the process of speciation is a long-sought goal in evolutionary biology. For example, it has long been thought that genetic mutations resulting in slight differences in chemicals used in communication during the reproductive process (pheromones) might promote isolation of populations, and ultimately the emergence of new species. This research project addresses this question using a well-studied group of amphibians. Terrestrial "lungless" salamanders have evolved a biochemical communication system in which courting males administer a pheromone to females during courtship which increases female receptivity. The pheromone is produced by a gland on the male's chin, and extracts from this gland contain proteins, which have been partially purified and characterized, and used in behavioral experiments. These proteins contain multiple isoforms, the amounts and types of which vary between species and among populations within a single species. Whether the prevalence of any single isoform offers reproductive advantages or promotes isolation between evolving populations is unknown. In the present study, the biochemical characteristics of these proteins and their role in promoting behavioral isolation among salamander populations will be investigated. The research is a collaboration between scientists at two institutions and has two directions: 1) biochemical characterization of the major protein components of gland extracts (relative concentrations, molecular mass, amino acid composition, and N-terminal sequence); and 2) behavioral bioassays to determine the biological activity of the various isoforms in eliciting receptivity in female salamanders from different populations, and/or fostering isolation. Taken together, these studies will allow insights into the biochemical basis of the process of speciation.

9709355 Feldhoff 了解物种形成过程背后的遗传机制是进化生物学长期追求的目标。 例如，长期以来人们一直认为，基因突变导致生殖过程中用于交流的化学物质（信息素）略有不同，可能会促进种群的隔离，并最终促进新物种的出现。 该研究项目利用一组经过充分研究的两栖动物来解决这个问题。 陆生“无肺”蝾螈进化出了一种生化通讯系统，雄性在求爱过程中向雌性发出信息素，从而增加雌性的接受能力。 信息素由雄性下巴上的腺体产生，该腺体的提取物含有蛋白质，这些蛋白质已被部分纯化和表征，并用于行为实验。 这些蛋白质含有多种亚型，其数量和类型在物种之间以及单个物种内的群体之间有所不同。 任何单一亚型的流行是否会提供生殖优势或促进进化群体之间的隔离尚不清楚。 在本研究中，将研究这些蛋白质的生化特征及其在促进蝾螈种群行为隔离中的作用。 该研究是两个机构科学家之间的合作，有两个方向：1）腺体提取物主要蛋白质成分的生化表征（相对浓度、分子量、氨基酸组成和N端序列）； 2）行为生物测定，以确定不同亚型在激发不同种群雌性蝾螈的接受性和/或促进隔离方面的生物活性。 总而言之，这些研究将有助于深入了解物种形成过程的生化基础。