Evolutionary Analyses of the Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Ldh-B Expression

Ldh-B表达调控分子机制的进化分析

• 批准号: 9986602
• 负责人: Douglas Crawford
• 金额: $ 35.99万
• 依托单位: University of Missouri-Kansas City
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-03-15 至 2003-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9986602&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Evolutionary; Analyses; Molecular; Mechanisms; Regulating

Many researchers have suggested that variation in enzyme expression is an important mechanism for adaptive change, yet few studies address the molecular mechanisms responsible for these changes. Closely related species of the killifish, Fundulus, provide a system to investigate these mechanisms and thus address the molecular changes responsible for the adaptive variation in the glycolytic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDH-B) expression. Populations among these species have independently evolved in different thermal environments and show adaptive changes in the levels of LDH enzyme. One can investigate the DNA sequences that control enzyme expression among these populations and, by applying the appropriate evolutionary analyses, distinguish between random DNA sequence variations and DNA sequence variations that has evolved by natural selection. The functional variation in DNA sequences that affect enzyme expression among these closely related taxa also will be investigated. By examining both the evolutionary and functional significance of DNA sequence variations, this research seeks to clarify the molecular mechanisms that produce adaptive changes in enzyme expression. The analyses among closely related species are more likely to identify the specific molecular changes responsible for adaptive variation than studies that focus on single model organisms. Thus, these studies provide unique information and a persuasive perspective concerning DNA sequence variation that could be critical for the health or performance of humans and other animals.

许多研究人员认为，酶表达的变化是适应性变化的重要机制，但很少有研究涉及这些变化的分子机制。Kundulus的近缘物种提供了一个系统来研究这些机制，从而解决导致糖酵解酶乳酸脱氢酶B(LDH-B)表达适应性变化的分子变化。这些物种之间的种群在不同的热环境中独立进化，并显示出LDH酶水平的适应性变化。人们可以研究在这些种群中控制酶表达的DNA序列，并通过应用适当的进化分析来区分随机DNA序列变异和通过自然选择进化的DNA序列变异。还将研究影响这些密切相关类群之间酶表达的DNA序列的功能变异。通过检测DNA序列变异的进化和功能意义，本研究试图阐明产生酶表达适应性变化的分子机制。与专注于单一模式生物的研究相比，在密切相关物种之间的分析更有可能确定导致适应性变异的特定分子变化。因此，这些研究提供了关于DNA序列变异的独特信息和有说服力的观点，这可能对人类和其他动物的健康或表现至关重要。