DISSERTATION RESEARCH: A Next-generation Sequencing Approach to the Evolution of Male Reproductive Transcriptomes in Seahorses and Pipefishes

论文研究：海马和海龙雄性生殖转录组进化的下一代测序方法

• 批准号: 1110709
• 负责人: Adam Jones
• 金额: $ 1.5万
• 依托单位: Texas A&M Research Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-07-01 至 2013-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1110709&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: DISSERTATION; RESEARCH; Next; generation; Sequencing

Relative to the majority of proteins encoded by animal and plant genomes, those responsible for reproductive processes change quickly over evolutionary time. More specifically, protein-coding genes expressed in reproductive tissues routinely show signatures of rapid evolution. This trend is currently thought to arise as a consequence of sexual selection after mating, which occurs when the gametes of one sex compete for access to the gametes of the other sex. In seahorses and pipefishes, males nurture developing offspring in a placenta-like reproductive tissue known as the brood pouch. There is great variation across this family of fishes in the strength of competition among females for access to this male reproductive resource. Using the latest in high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies, the investigators will test the prediction that male reproductive proteins evolve more rapidly in species subject to intense post-mating sexual selection compared to species with little post-mating sexual selection. The data will also shed light on evolutionary changes in patterns of gene expression specific to male reproductive roles and the male's brood pouch. In addition to addressing the central hypothesis, this work will generate an unprecedented number of DNA sequence resources for seahorse and pipefish biology. This information will be useful in many basic and applied contexts, including the development of genetics tools for the conservation of seahorses and their relatives, many of which are imperiled due to over-harvesting and environmental change. The project will also stimulate collaboration with international scientists and public outreach through the the Dallas World Aquarium.

相对于动物和植物基因组编码的大多数蛋白质，那些负责生殖过程的蛋白质随着进化时间的推移而迅速变化。更具体地说，在生殖组织中表达的蛋白质编码基因通常显示出快速进化的特征。这种趋势目前被认为是交配后性选择的结果，当一种性别的配子竞争获得另一种性别的配子时发生。在海马和海龙鱼中，雄性在被称为育儿袋的胎盘状生殖组织中培育发育中的后代。有很大的变化，在这个家庭的鱼类之间的竞争力，女性获得这一男性生殖资源。利用最新的高通量DNA测序技术，研究人员将测试预测，与交配后性选择很少的物种相比，雄性生殖蛋白在交配后性选择强烈的物种中进化得更快。这些数据也将揭示特定于雄性生殖角色和雄性育儿袋的基因表达模式的进化变化。除了解决中心假设，这项工作将产生海马和海龙生物学的DNA序列资源前所未有的数量。这些信息将是有用的，在许多基本和应用的情况下，包括遗传学工具的保护海马及其亲属的发展，其中许多是由于过度捕捞和环境变化的危险。该项目还将通过达拉斯世界水族馆促进与国际科学家的合作和公众宣传。