Sexual conflict and reproductive gene evolution in Caenorhabditis

描述（由申请人提供）：性冲突可能会导致性对抗的共同进化（SAC），通常被描述为男性和女性生殖特征之间的“军备竞赛”，因为每一种性别都试图以牺牲另一种性别为代价来最大化自己的适应性。近年来，许多研究将不同分类群中雄性生殖基因的快速进化归因于生殖冲突。然而，要确定“性冲突基因”，必须考虑到其他生殖过程的影响。这项任务传统上是困难的，因为生殖性状的进化通常只在既有雄性也有雌性的雌雄同体物种中进行了研究，而没有与密切相关的非雌雄同体物种进行比较。此外，尽管SAC需要男性和女性生殖成分的参与，但识别女性贡献的努力远远落后，只有少数女性受体可以识别男性转移的蛋白质。在这里，我们建议利用基因组和分子生物学工具，在四种不同交配系统的线虫属线虫中测试SAC对基因进化的影响。这里产生的数据将成为未来功能研究的基础。这些全面的研究可能是第一个在全基因组范围内解决SAC对多物种基因进化和功能影响的研究之一。线虫种类繁多，分布在世界各地，不仅通过对农产品的感染，而且通过对人类的直接感染影响人类种群。世界卫生组织估计，全世界至少有20亿人患有线虫感染，其中仅肠道线虫感染就有大约10亿人。作为线虫中研究得最充分的物种，隐杆线虫的物种代表了有价值的模型，可以为这一医学上重要的门提供见解。我们在本次提交中描述的研究培训计划将极大地增强申请人对多样性和自然变异进化中重要力量的概念性理解。此外，申请人将在一个对她来说是新的模型系统中发展许多实用的分子生物学技能。这个项目非常新颖，因为它利用了一种主要被用作发育遗传模型的生物（秀丽隐杆线虫），以及它的兄弟物种，来解决与动物交配系统进化中性冲突以及遗传和基因组变化相关的问题。最后，博士的培训和指导。洛克曼和Purugganan将为申请人成功的学术和研究生涯做好准备。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Sexual conflict can potentially lead to sexually antagonistic coevolution (SAC), commonly described as "arms races" between male and female reproductive traits that arise as each sex attempts to maximize its fitness at a cost to the other sex. Recently, many studies have attributed the rapid evolution of male reproductive genes in a diversity of taxa to reproductive conflict. However, to determine "sexual conflict genes," the influences of other reproductive processes must be taken into account. This task has traditionally been difficult because reproductive trait evolution has generally been examined only in gonochoristic species that contain both males and females without comparison with closely-related non-gonochoristic species. Furthermore, though SAC requires participation from male and female reproductive components, efforts discerning female contribution have lagged far behind, with only a few female receptors to male-transferred proteins identified. Here, we propose to exploit the genomic and molecular biology tools available in four species of the worm genus Caenorhabditis that differ in mating systems to test the effects of SAC on gene evolution. The data generated here will form the basis for future functional studies. These comprehensive studies may represent one of the first to address the influences of SAC on gene evolution and function in multiple species on a genome-wide scale. Nematodes are highly speciose and are distributed worldwide, impacting human populations not only through their infection of agricultural products but also through direct infection of human beings. The WHO estimated that at least two billion people worldwide suffer from nematode infections, with approximately one billion suffering from intestinal nematode infections alone. As some of the most well studied species in Nematoda, the species of Caenorhabditis represent valuable models that may provide insight on this medically important phylum. The research training plan that we have described in this submission will greatly enhance the applicant<s conceptual understanding of an important force in the evolution of diversity and natural variation. Additionally, the applicant will develop many practical molecular biology skills in a model system that is new to her. This project is highly novel because it takes advantage of an organism (C. elegans) that was primarily used as a developmental genetic model, and along with its sibling species, to address questions related to sexual conflict and the genetic and genomic changes that accompany mating system evolution in animals. Finally, the training and mentorship provided by Drs. Rockman and Purugganan will aptly prepare the applicant for a successful academic and research career. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: We propose to examine evolution of reproductive traits in the nematode genus Caenorhabditis. Nematodes are highly speciose and are distributed worldwide, impacting human populations not only through their infection of agricultural products but also through direct infection of human beings; the World Health Organization estimates that at least two billion people worldwide suffer from nematode infections. As some of the most well studied species in Nematoda, the species of Caenorhabditis represent valuable models that may provide insight on this medically important phylum.