DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Antagonistic selection and speciation in the platyfish

论文研究：鲳鱼的拮抗选择和物种形成

• 批准号: 1110526
• 负责人: Mark Kirkpatrick
• 金额: $ 1.39万
• 依托单位: University of Texas at Austin
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-04-01 至 2013-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1110526&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Antagonistic; selection; speciation

This study investigates the evolutionary forces acting on a potent oncogene and putative speciation gene in the Southern Platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus. The Xmrk gene in X. maculatus causes the formation of aggressive melanomas in hybrids between X. maculatus and a closely related species, Xiphophorus helleri. As a result, this has been a classic system for both skin cancer and speciation research. However, relatively little is known about the evolutionary genetics of Xmrk. This research will use sophisticated molecular techniques and mathematical models to estimate the strengths and types of evolutionary forces acting on Xmrk. Specifically, this research will determine whether genetic evidence exists for reproductive isolation between X. maculatus and X. helleri caused by Xmrk and the strength of selection operating on Xmrk. This study will advance our understanding of the evolutionary forces acting on cancer genes. It will also provide much needed data on the molecular basis of reproductive isolation in natural populations. The molecular, mathematical, and computational techniques developed for this project will advance the capabilities of future research in these areas. This research is a collaborative effort between scientists at the University of Texas at Austin and at Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in La Paz Mexico. International collaboration is a critical component of modern research and developing strong bonds between universities in Mexico and the United States greatly advances the science in both countries.

这项研究调查了作用于南部白金鱼类Xiphophorus maculatus的潜在癌基因和推定规范基因的进化力。 X. maculatus中的XMRK基因导致X. maculatus和紧密相关的物种Xiphophorus helleri之间的杂种形成。结果，这是皮肤癌和规格研究的经典系统。但是，关于XMRK的进化基因的了解相对较少。这项研究将使用复杂的分子技术和数学模型来估计作用于XMRK的进化力的优势和类型。具体而言，这项研究将确定是否存在X. Maculatus和X. Helleri在XMRK引起的X. Maculatus和X. Helleri之间的遗传证据以及在XMRK上运行的选择强度。这项研究将促进我们对作用于癌症基因的进化力的理解。它还将根据自然种群的生殖分离基础提供急需的数据。为该项目开发的分子，数学和计算技术将推动这些领域未来研究的能力。这项研究是德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的科学家与墨西哥拉巴斯的Centro de Investigacionesbiológicasdel Noroeste之间的合作努力。国际合作是现代研究的关键组成部分，并建立了墨西哥大学和美国大学之间牢固的纽带，这在两国的科学上都提高了科学。