Dissertation Research: Expression and Evolution of Genes Underlying Water Retention in Heteromyid Rodents from Xeric and Mesic Environments

袋鼠(Dipodomys sp.)长期以来，异形虫科的其他成员一直以其通过产生高度浓缩的废物来限制水分损失的能力而闻名。研究的重点是它们的肾脏生理；然而，研究人员之前缺乏必要的资源来确定这种适应的基因。该项目将使用下一代测序来调查来自美国西南部沙漠适应的杂菌类(Dipodomys spectabilis和Chaetdipus baileyi)以及来自哥斯达黎加热带雨林的杂菌类物种(Heteromys Desmarestianus)的肾脏转录本(即在肾脏中表达的基因)。这项研究的目的是确定异形虫科荒漠啮齿动物适应高效用水的遗传基础。因此，该项目将确定适应沙漠的物种和在没有缺水选择压力的情况下进化的物种在基因表达和序列进化方面的差异。这些差异将使我们能够识别有效的肾脏功能和水分保持所必需的基因，以及适应干旱生境生活的分子基础。此外，这些见解可以扩大我们对肾功能异常和肾脏疾病背后的基因表达和突变模式的理解。

Kangaroo rats (Dipodomys sp.) and other members of the Heteromyidae have long been noted for their ability to limit water loss through the production of highly concentrated waste. Studies have focused on their kidney physiology; however investigators previously lacked the resources necessary to identify the genes underlying this adaptation. This project will use next generation sequencing to survey the kidney transcriptomes (i.e., genes expressed in the kidney) of desert adapted Heteromyids from the Southwestern United States (Dipodomys spectabilis and Chaetodipus baileyi) as well as a Heteromyid species from the rainforests of Costa Rica (Heteromys desmarestianus). The goal of this research is to identify the genetic basis of an adaptation for efficient water use by desert rodents in the family Heteromyidae. Thus, the project will identify differences in gene expression and sequence evolution between desert adapted species and a species that has evolved without the selective pressure of water scarcity. These differences will permit the identification of genes integral to efficient kidney function and water retention as well the molecular basis of adaptations to life in arid habitats. Additionally, these insights could extend our understanding of patterns of gene expression and mutations behind abnormal kidney function and kidney disease.