Reproductive Isolation by the Adaptive Divergence of Fertilization Proteins

物种形成的分子基础仍然是进化生物学中的悬而未决的问题之一。最近的研究表明，生殖蛋白的快速进化可能参与生殖隔离和物种形成。该提案将研究鲍鱼属鲍鱼生殖基因的功能和进化。这些研究旨在通过生殖分子的快速分化进一步了解物种形成过程。尽管该提案重点关注鲍属，但它在更广泛的范围内与所有分类群相关。在多种植物和动物中观察到快速进化的生殖蛋白，例如硅藻、绿藻、人类和海洋无脊椎动物。为了全面了解参与生殖的分子，理解为什么生殖分子存在如此巨大的多样性至关重要。该提案旨在扩展有关产生这种多样性的机制及其功能后果的知识。积极的外展计划将少数民族学生纳入研究中。

The molecular basis of speciation remains one of the outstanding questions in evolutionary biology. Recent studies have indicated that the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins may be involved in the reproductive isolation and speciation. This proposal will investigate the function and evolution of reproductive genes in abalone of the genus Haliotis. These studies are designed to gain a further understanding of the process of speciation through the rapid divergence of reproductive molecules. Although this proposal focuses on the genus Haliotis, it is relevant on a broader scale to all taxonomic groups. Rapidly evolving reproductive proteins have been observed in a wide array of plants and animals, such as diatoms, green algae, humans, and marine invertebrates. An understanding of why such great diversity exists in reproductive molecules is crucial in order to have a complete understanding of the molecules involved in reproduction. This proposal is aimed at extending knowledge on the mechanisms generating this diversity and its functional consequences. An active outreach program will integrate minority students in the research.