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

项目标题：合作研究：并行进化的机制基础：安第斯鸭子血红蛋白多态的功能分析PRINCIPAL研究人员：Kevin G.McCracken和Jay F.StorzProject编号：IOS-0949439和IOS-0949931关于适应性进化的结论推断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一组基因的自然选择历史提供提示性证据，但这些间接推断应该作为实验的起点，以确定特定的适应机制。因此，拟议的研究项目的目的是对安第斯水禽血红蛋白基因的DNA序列变异进行全面的调查，以深入了解所观察到的氨基酸多态的功能(以及可能的适应性)意义。该项目的目标是确定8种安第斯鸭子的高原种群中的平行氨基酸替换是否在血红蛋白-O2亲和力方面产生了类似的功能变化。该项目将把DNA序列数据与功能实验相结合，以确定可能的适应机制，并将确定在独立定居在安第斯高地的8个重复谱系中，适应高海拔缺氧的机制是相同的还是不同的。这项研究将提供与潜在适应性特征有关的氨基酸替换的数量和类型的信息，也将为居住在高海拔地区的人类研究提供一个对比点。这项工作将汇集来自北美和南美的不同合作者团队，并将发展与高海拔生理学家的合作。博士后、研究生和本科生将由从事结构生物学、生化生理学和种群基因组学研究的教师指导。了解适应高海拔环境的特征的机械基础将是保护安第斯物种及其栖息地的动力。该协作性奖项由美国国家科学基金会综合组织系统分部和美国国家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.