DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Identification and Characterization of Incompatibility Genes that Contribute to Postzygotic Reproductive Isolation Between Species of Mimulus

论文研究：有助于酸浆菌种间合子后生殖隔离的不相容基因的鉴定和表征

• 批准号: 0408098
• 负责人: John Willis
• 金额: $ 1.2万
• 依托单位: Duke University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-06-01 至 2006-11-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0408098&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Identification; Characterization; Incompatibility

Speciation occurs when a single species splits into two or more reproductively isolated populations. The evolution of reproductive isolating barriers among these descendent species is essential to prevent gene exchange and preserve species differences. Thus far, few studies have identified which genes cause reproductive isolation. This proposal focuses on one type of post-mating reproductive isolation, hybrid sterility, which is thought to evolve by an accumulation of genetic changes that are incompatible when they come together in species hybrids. The proposed research will investigate a simple genetic incompatibility that causes hybrid male sterility between two closely related species of monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus and M. nasutus. The objectives of this project are to clone these hybrid sterility genes and to characterize their developmental and molecular functions. Establishing the molecular identities and functions of Mimulus "speciation genes" will be an important step towards understanding the evolutionary forces that shape species divergence. Furthermore, the proposed research will provide a detailed analysis of the coordination and timing of flower and pollen development in Mimulus, a model system for studies of floral adaptation and speciation. This project will also provide opportunities for high school and undergraduate students to conduct collaborative laboratory research.

当一个单一物种分裂成两个或两个以上的生殖隔离种群时，就发生了物种形成。这些后代物种之间的生殖隔离屏障的进化是防止基因交换和保持物种差异的必要条件。到目前为止，很少有研究确定哪些基因导致生殖隔离。这一建议的重点是一种交配后的生殖隔离，即杂交不育，它被认为是通过基因变化的积累而进化的，当它们在物种杂交中聚集在一起时是不相容的。拟进行的研究将探讨一种简单的遗传不亲和性，这种遗传不亲和性导致两种近亲猕猴花（Mimulus guttatus）和猴花（M. nasutus）杂交雄性不育。该项目的目的是克隆这些杂交不育基因，并表征其发育和分子功能。建立Mimulus“物种形成基因”的分子特性和功能将是理解形成物种分化的进化力量的重要一步。此外，本研究还将对拟南芥花和花粉发育的协调和时间进行详细分析，拟南芥是研究花适应和物种形成的模式系统。该项目还将为高中生和本科生提供进行合作实验室研究的机会。