The molecular evolution of reproductive genes in seahorses and pipefishes

海马和海龙生殖基因的分子进化

• 批准号: 1119261
• 负责人: Adam Jones
• 金额: $ 62万
• 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: 2011-09-01 至 2016-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1119261&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: molecular; evolution; reproductive; genes; seahorses

Reproduction requires successful interactions among the various participants, including mothers, fathers, and offspring, at many different levels, from whole organisms to molecules. However, the process of reproduction often involves competition among individuals of the same sex as well as conflict between the sexes or between offspring and parents. Competition and conflict are believed to spark an evolutionary arms race between reproductive proteins of males and those of females, but this hypothesis has yet to be definitively tested. The present study will test this hypothesis by using next-generation sequencing to quantify patterns of evolution in the genes that encode reproductive proteins in pipefishes and seahorses. This group is a particularly interesting one in which to examine patterns of reproductive protein evolution, because distinct species differ with respect to levels of sexual competition and conflict.This project is scientifically important because it will contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary processes that have contributed to the molecular underpinnings of reproduction. Such knowledge is necessary for a general understanding of the various ways in which proteins from males, females, and offspring interact to result in successful reproduction in humans and other animals. This project will also have a number of broader impacts. For example, several undergraduate and graduate students will be trained in cutting-edge approaches in molecular genetics and integrated into the global research community through international collaboration. This research will also be publicized through local and national outreach, including publication in leading journals, on websites, and in the popular press.

繁殖需要包括母亲、父亲和后代在内的各种参与者在从整个生物体到分子的许多不同层面上成功地相互作用。然而，生殖过程往往涉及同性个体之间的竞争以及两性之间或后代与父母之间的冲突。竞争和冲突被认为引发了雄性和雌性生殖蛋白之间的进化军备竞赛，但这一假设尚未得到明确的验证。目前的研究将通过使用下一代测序来量化管鱼和海马中编码生殖蛋白的基因的进化模式来验证这一假设。这个群体是一个特别有趣的群体，可以用来研究生殖蛋白的进化模式，因为不同的物种在性竞争和性冲突的程度上是不同的。这个项目在科学上很重要，因为它将有助于更好地理解进化过程，而进化过程是生殖的分子基础。这些知识对于理解人类和其他动物中来自雄性、雌性和后代的蛋白质相互作用以成功繁殖的各种方式是必要的。该项目还将产生一些更广泛的影响。例如，一些本科生和研究生将接受分子遗传学前沿方法的培训，并通过国际合作融入全球研究社区。这项研究也将通过地方和国家的外联宣传，包括在主要期刊、网站和大众媒体上发表。