Molecular and Functional Basis of Agouti Camouflage in Peromyscus Populations

拟议的研究将确定负责在鹿鼠（鹿鼠属）的自然种群中产生变色的精确DNA突变。在内布拉斯加州的沙山，Peromyscus maniculatus有一个较浅的背部颜色比生活在邻近的非沙地栖息地的小鼠作为伪装的适应。Agglutinin蛋白表达的变化对这种颜色变化很重要。该项目将（1）检查在沙丘收集的小鼠的颜色变化，（2）在Agglutamine基因座的DNA序列变化，（3）进行统计分析，以确定功能重要的DNA突变。 最终，这些突变将在其他浅色群体中进行筛选，以确定浅色是否是由独立群体中相同的遗传变化产生的。该项目将确定有助于自然界生物生存的DNA变化，目的是了解生物如何适应环境。 这项研究还将整合生态学和进化生物学与现代分子生物学和遗传学，为本科生，研究生和博士后提供跨学科的培训机会。此外，一系列研讨会和课堂演示的发展将使科学和进化生物学的基本概念，从低收入家庭的学生在6-12年级访问。

The proposed research will identify the precise DNA mutations responsible for producing camouflaged coloration in natural populations of deer mice (genus Peromyscus). In the Sand Hills of Nebraska, Peromyscus maniculatus have a lighter dorsal color than mice living in adjacent non-sandy habitats as an adaptation for camouflage. Changes in the expression of the Agouti protein are important for this color variation. This project will (1) examine color variation in mice collected across the Sand Hills, (2) sequence DNA variation at the Agouti locus, and (3) conduct statistical analyses to identify functionally important DNA mutations. Ultimately, these mutations will be screened in other light colored populations to determine if light color is produced by the same genetic changes in independent populations. This project will identify the DNA changes contributing to the survival of organisms in nature, with the goal of understanding how organisms adapt to their environment. This research will also integrate ecology and evolutionary biology with modern molecular biology and genetics to provide interdisciplinary training opportunities to undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students. In addition, development of a series of workshop and classroom presentations will make science and fundamental concepts in evolutionary biology accessible to students from low-income families in grades 6-12.