Genomic analysis of mating and sexual conflict in Caenorhabditis

描述（由申请人提供）：通过有性生殖进行遗传交换的差异模式可能对种群内和种群间的遗传变异和进化分歧产生深远影响。当交换的频率可以在几个数量级上变化时，尤其如此。利用雄株异株模式线虫C. elegans及其雌雄异株近缘种C.除此之外，还提出了平行的研究项目，以确定或分类菌株之间的差异繁殖和这些生物体的性别之间的差异适合度的基因。本研究的目的是：1。绘制导致雄性频率差异的基因图谱，并评估其功能。初步数据表明，雄性的频率在C。不同菌株之间的线虫差异高达3000倍。使用已在>1200个单核苷酸多态性基因座处基因分型的240个重组近交系（RIL），将鉴定与雄性交配能力的这种差异相关的基因组区域，并使用高通量方法进行功能性评估，所述方法包括基因表达分析、使用干扰RNA（RNAi）的敲低和转化拯救。2.确定C中性别冲突和精子竞争的基因本质。remanei，一个严格的异交种的小杆线虫，正在成为一个模式生物的进化生态学研究。初步结果表明，该物种内存在精子竞争和性冲突。根据雌性和雄性的遗传背景，雄性交配可以以特定的方式减少雌性寿命高达33%。雄性对雌性寿命和精子竞争能力的影响不同的品系间杂交将用于鉴定这些雄性交配能力相关性状的遗传基础。 相关性：了解复杂性状的遗传基础，包括已知受到大量相互作用基因影响的人类疾病，如心脏病，肥胖和精神疾病，是现代生物学的主要挑战之一。这项工作是如何利用高通量基因组方法来理解复杂性状的分子遗传基础的一个模型。此外，性别特异性效应和相互作用是包括人类在内的所有生物体的普遍特征，了解它们的遗传基础可以深入了解构成基因组很大一部分的力量。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Differential patterns of genetic exchange via sexual reproduction can have a profound impact on genetic variation and evolutionary divergence within and between populations. This is especially true when the frequency of exchange can vary over several orders of magnitude. Using the androdioecious model nematode, C. elegans, and its dioeceous relative, C. remanei, parallel research projects are proposed to identify or classify the genes underlying differential reproduction among strains and differential fitness between sexes of these organisms. The objectives of this research are to: 1. Map the genes contributing to among strain differences in male frequency and evaluate their function. Preliminary data demonstrates that the frequency of males maintained in C. elegans can differ between strains by as much as factor of 3,000. Using 240 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) that have been genotyped at >1200 single nucleotide polymorphic loci, genomic regions associated with this difference in male mating ability will be identified and functionally assessed using high throughput approaches including the analysis of gene expression, knockdown using interfering RNA (RNAi), and transformation rescue. 2. Determine the nature of the genes underlying sexual conflict and sperm competition in C. remanei, a strictly outcrossing species of Caenorhabditis that is emerging as a model organism for evolutionary ecology research. Preliminary results indicate the presence of sperm competition and sexual conflict within this species. Depending on female and male genetic backgrounds, male mating can reduce female longevity by as much as 33% in a strain specific manner. Crosses among strains divergent for male effects on female longevity and sperm competitive ability will be used to identify the genetic basis of these male mating ability associated traits. Relevance: Understanding the genetic basis of complex traits, including human conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and mental illness known to be influenced by a large number of interacting genes, is one of the major challenges of modern biology. This work serves as a model of how one can utilize high-throughput genomic approaches to understand the molecular genetic basis of complex traits. Further, sex specific effects and interactions are ubiquitous features of all organisms, including humans, and understanding their genetic basis can yield insights into the forces structuring what is certain to be a large fraction of the genome.