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A Model of Behavioral Evolution from Genotype to Phenotype

从基因型到表型的行为进化模型

基本信息

批准号：
1656247
负责人：
Donna Maney
金额：
$ 58.9万
依托单位：
Emory University
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Continuing Grant
财政年份：
2017
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2017-07-01 至 2021-06-30
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1656247&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Model Behavioral Evolution Genotype Phenotype

项目摘要

The evolution of behavior relies on changes at the level of the genome, yet few vertebrate behaviors can be traced directly to specific gene sequences. In this project, the research team will use a naturally-occurring animal model, the white-throated sparrow, to connect behavior with gene sequence in a concrete way. In this species, 50% of the birds have an unusual chromosome that makes them more aggressive. The chromosome is therefore an excellent tool for understanding how individual variation in gene expression contributes to variation in behavior. The team recently showed that animals with the unusual chromosome have higher expression of a type of steroid receptor in some areas of the brain. Here, the research group determines the genetic mechanisms, at the molecular level, that cause some birds to express more of these receptors than others. In so doing, the team demonstrates how responsiveness to steroid hormones is encoded in the genome. The work lends itself well to education and outreach because it illustrates basic biological concepts in a common backyard bird. Thus, it serves to integrate multiple units of a typical biology course in a way that is accessible to students. High school teachers are recruited to participate in the research and to develop lesson plans about genetics, hormones, brain anatomy, and social behavior. The PI also mentors high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students in the lab. More than 75% of the PI's mentees at Emory have been underrepresented minorities or women. The evolution of behavior relies on changes at the level of the genome, yet few vertebrate behaviors can be traced directly to genetic sequences. In the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), a chromosomal inversion segregates with an aggressive behavioral phenotype, offering a rare opportunity to connect genes and behavior in a concrete way. The inversion has captured the gene ESR1, which encodes estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha). The research team recently showed that the local expression of ERalpha in the brain depends on the presence or absence of the inversion and that variation in ERalpha expression predicts the effect of genotype on territorial aggression. The research group uses in vitro reporter assays, bisulfite sequencing, and allele-specific quantitative PCR to identify the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to variation in expression of ERalpha. The effects of selective ERalpha ligands on aggressive behavior in animals of each genotype is used to determine whether variation in ERalpha expression and function is causal for variation in territorial aggression. Because the team uses tissue from behaviorally characterized, free-living animals, the molecular and behavioral levels are integrated in the same animals to allow novel connections. The results provide an interdisciplinary, integrated model of how genetic change leads to phenotypic change. The work lends itself well to education and outreach because it illustrates basic biological concepts in a common backyard bird.

行为的进化依赖于基因组水平的变化，但很少有脊椎动物的行为可以直接追溯到特定的基因序列。在这个项目中，研究小组将使用一种自然发生的动物模型，白喉麻雀，以具体的方式将行为与基因序列联系起来。在这个物种中，50%的鸟类有一个不寻常的染色体，使它们更具攻击性。因此，染色体是一个很好的工具，可以用来了解基因表达的个体差异如何导致行为的变化。该研究小组最近发现，拥有这种不寻常染色体的动物在大脑的某些区域有更高的类固醇受体表达。在这里，研究小组在分子水平上确定了导致一些鸟类比其他鸟类表达更多这些受体的遗传机制。在这样做的过程中，该团队展示了如何在基因组中编码对类固醇激素的反应。这项工作很适合教育和推广，因为它说明了一个共同的后院鸟的基本生物学概念。因此，它有助于以学生可以访问的方式整合典型生物课程的多个单元。高中教师被招募参与研究，并制定有关遗传学，激素，大脑解剖学和社会行为的课程计划。PI还在实验室指导高中生、本科生和研究生。超过75%的PI在埃默里大学的学员是代表性不足的少数民族或妇女。行为的进化依赖于基因组水平的变化，但很少有脊椎动物的行为可以直接追溯到基因序列。在白喉麻雀（Zonotrichia albicollis）中，染色体倒位与攻击性行为表型分离，提供了一个难得的机会，以具体的方式将基因和行为联系起来。这种倒位捕获了编码雌激素受体α（ER α）的基因ESR1。该研究小组最近表明，ER α在大脑中的局部表达取决于反转的存在或不存在，ER α表达的变化预测了基因型对领土侵略的影响。该研究小组使用体外报告基因测定、亚硫酸氢盐测序和等位基因特异性定量PCR来鉴定导致ER α表达变异的遗传和表观遗传机制。选择性ER α配体对每种基因型动物攻击行为的影响用于确定ER α表达和功能的变化是否是领土攻击变化的原因。由于该团队使用的组织来自行为特征，自由生活的动物，分子和行为水平被整合在同一动物中，以允许新的连接。这些结果提供了一个跨学科的综合模型，说明遗传变化如何导致表型变化。这项工作很适合教育和推广，因为它说明了一个共同的后院鸟的基本生物学概念。

项目成果

期刊论文数量（7）

专著数量（0）

科研奖励数量（0）

会议论文数量（0）

专利数量（0）

Vasoactive intestinal peptide as a mediator of the effects of a supergene on social behaviour

DOI：
10.1098/rspb.2020.0196
发表时间：
2020-04-08
期刊：
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
影响因子：
4.7
作者：
Horton, Brent M.;Michael, Christina M.;Maney, Donna L.
通讯作者：
Maney, Donna L.

Time course of photo-induced Egr-1 expression in the hypothalamus of a seasonally breeding songbird

季节性繁殖鸣禽下丘脑光诱导 Egr-1 表达的时间过程

DOI：
10.1016/j.mce.2020.110854
发表时间：
2020
期刊：
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
影响因子：
4.1
作者：
Maney, Donna L.;Aldredge, Robert A.;Edwards, Shaquille H.A.;James, Nathan P.;Sockman, Keith W.
通讯作者：
Sockman, Keith W.

A supergene-linked estrogen receptor drives alternative phenotypes in a polymorphic songbird

超基因相关的雌激素受体驱动多态鸣禽的替代表型

DOI：
10.1073/pnas.2011347117
发表时间：
2020
期刊：
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
影响因子：
0
作者：
Merritt, Jennifer R.;Grogan, Kathleen E.;Zinzow-Kramer, Wendy M.;Sun, Dan;Ortlund, Eric A.;Yi, Soojin V.;Maney, Donna L.
通讯作者：
Maney, Donna L.

Regional epigenetic differentiation of the Z Chromosome between sexes in a female heterogametic system