Collaborative Research - The Mechanistic Basis of Parallel Evolution: Functional Analysis of Hemoglobin Polymorphism in Andean Ducks

项目名称：合作研究：平行进化的机制基础：安第斯鸭血红蛋白多态性的功能分析。麦克拉肯和Jay F. StorzPROJECT编号：IOS-0949439和IOS-0949931 关于适应性进化的结论性推论最终需要对机制的理解。DNA序列变异的模式可以为特定基因或基因组的自然选择历史提供暗示性证据，但这些间接推论应该作为实验的起点，以确定特定的适应机制。因此，拟议研究项目的目的是对安第斯水禽血红蛋白基因的DNA序列变异进行全面调查，以深入了解所观察到的氨基酸多态性的功能（可能是适应性）意义。本项目的目标是确定是否平行的氨基酸取代在高原人口的8种安第斯鸭产生了类似的功能变化血红蛋白-O2亲和力。该项目将把DNA序列数据与功能实验结合起来，以确定可能的适应机制，并将确定在独立定居于高安第斯山脉的8个重复谱系中，适应高海拔缺氧的机制是相同还是不同。这项研究将提供有关潜在适应性特征所涉及的氨基酸取代的数量和类型的信息，也将为居住在高海拔地区的人类的研究提供对比点。这项工作将汇集来自北美和南美的不同合作者团队，并将与高海拔生理学家开展合作。博士后，研究生和本科生，将由教师指导进行结构生物学，生化生理学和人口基因组学研究。了解适应高海拔环境所依据的特征的机械基础，将有助于保护安第斯物种及其生境。该合作奖由NSF综合有机系统部门和NSF美洲计划国际科学与工程办公室共同资助。

PROJECT TITLE: Collaborative Research: The Mechanistic Basis of Parallel Evolution: Functional Analysis of Hemoglobin Polymorphism in Andean DucksPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS: Kevin G. McCracken and Jay F. StorzPROJECT NUMBER: IOS-0949439 and IOS-0949931 Conclusive inferences about adaptive evolution ultimately require an understanding of mechanism. Patterns of DNA sequence variation can provide suggestive evidence for a history of natural selection on a particular gene or set of genes, but these indirect inferences should serve as a stepping-off point for experiments to identify specific mechanisms of adaptation. Accordingly, the purpose of the proposed research project is to follow up a comprehensive survey of DNA sequence variation in the hemoglobin genes of Andean waterfowl to gain insight into the functional (and possibly, adaptive) significance of the observed amino acid polymorphisms. The goal of this project is to determine whether parallel amino acid substitutions in highland populations of eight species of Andean ducks have produced similar functional changes in hemoglobin-O2 affinity. This project will integrate DNA sequence data with functional experiments to identify possible mechanisms of adaptation, and will determine whether the same or different mechanisms underlie adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia in eight replicate lineages that independently colonized the high Andes. The research will provide information about the number and types of amino acid substitutions that are involved in potentially adaptive traits, and will also provide a point of contrast for studies of humans inhabiting high-altitude regions. The work will assemble a diverse team of collaborators from North America and South America, and will develop collaborations with high-altitude physiologists. A postdoc, graduate students, and undergrads, will be mentored by faculty conducting research in structural biology, biochemical physiology, and population genomics. Understanding the mechanistic basis of traits that underlie adaptation to high-altitude environments will be motivational for the conservation of Andean species, as well as their habitats. This collaborative award is co-funded by the NSF Division of Integrative Organismal Systems and by the NSF Office of International Science and Engineering, Americas Program.