DISSERTATION RESEARCH: A Next-generation Sequencing Approach to the Evolution of Male Reproductive Transcriptomes in Seahorses and Pipefishes

论文研究：海马和海龙雄性生殖转录组进化的下一代测序方法

• 批准号: 1110709
• 负责人: Adam Jones
• 金额: $ 1.5万
• 依托单位: Texas A&M Research Foundation
• 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: 2011-07-01 至 2013-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1110709&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Next; generation; Sequencing

Relative to the majority of proteins encoded by animal and plant genomes, those responsible for reproductive processes change quickly over evolutionary time. More specifically, protein-coding genes expressed in reproductive tissues routinely show signatures of rapid evolution. This trend is currently thought to arise as a consequence of sexual selection after mating, which occurs when the gametes of one sex compete for access to the gametes of the other sex. In seahorses and pipefishes, males nurture developing offspring in a placenta-like reproductive tissue known as the brood pouch. There is great variation across this family of fishes in the strength of competition among females for access to this male reproductive resource. Using the latest in high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies, the investigators will test the prediction that male reproductive proteins evolve more rapidly in species subject to intense post-mating sexual selection compared to species with little post-mating sexual selection. The data will also shed light on evolutionary changes in patterns of gene expression specific to male reproductive roles and the male's brood pouch. In addition to addressing the central hypothesis, this work will generate an unprecedented number of DNA sequence resources for seahorse and pipefish biology. This information will be useful in many basic and applied contexts, including the development of genetics tools for the conservation of seahorses and their relatives, many of which are imperiled due to over-harvesting and environmental change. The project will also stimulate collaboration with international scientists and public outreach through the the Dallas World Aquarium.

相对于由动物和植物基因组编码的大多数蛋白质，负责生殖过程的蛋白质在进化时期迅速变化。更具体地说，在生殖组织中表达的蛋白质编码基因通常显示出快速进化的特征。当前，这种趋势被认为是由于交配后性选择而产生的，这发生在一种性别的配子竞争与他人的配子竞争时。在海马和烟斗中，雄性在胎盘状的生殖组织中培育后代，称为育雏袋。这个鱼类家族在女性之间的竞争力量中有很大的差异，以获取这种男性生殖资源。使用最新的高通量DNA测序技术，研究人员将测试与几乎没有论到后交配性选择的物种相比，男性生殖蛋白在经受强烈的后交配性选择的物种中进化的速度更快。数据还将阐明特定于男性生殖作用和男性育雏袋的基因表达模式的进化变化。除了解决中心假设之外，这项工作还将为海马和烟草生物学生成前所未有的DNA序列资源。在许多基本和应用的环境中，这些信息将很有用，包括开发用于保护海马及其亲戚的遗传学工具，这些工具由于过度收获和环境变化而造成了许多损害。该项目还将通过达拉斯世界水族馆（Dallas World Aquarium）与国际科学家和公众宣传刺激合作。