Genetic conflict shapes centromeres and heterochromatin

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Non-coding DNA elements serve key organizing functions in eukaryotic genomes. These essential functions range from segregating chromosomes to ensuring transcriptional parity at sex chromosomes via dosage compensation and defending the germline against transposons. Centromeric and heterochromatic DNA is required for correct chromosome segregation, defects in which can lead to infertility as well as to aneuploidy - commonly found in birth defects like trisomy (e.g. Down's syndrome) and in transitions to cancer. Defects in dosage compensation lead to male inviability in Drosophila and to a range of defects in mammalian females. The inability to defend against germline transposition can result in both male and female sterility. Despite their importance, most of these 'organizing' DNA elements have proven intractable to genetic studies owing to their highly repetitive nature (centromeres, heterochromatin), poor definition (dosage compensation entry sites) and rapid evolution. Lack of suitable traditional comparative genomics methods has impeded research into these elements. Therefore, new methods and perspectives are needed to provide insight into these important segments of our genome. My lab has adopted a "surrogate" approach to study the function and evolution of such DNA elements. By studying the selective pressures acting on the proteins that bind and, in many instances, epigenetically define the function of these elements, we obtain insight into the selective pressure on the DNA elements themselves. This approach gives unique insight into the evolutionary pressures shaping these DNA elements and the essential biological processes they carry out. This proposal aims to employ this novel approach to understand the biological forces shaping these evolutionarily and medically important components of eukaryotic genomes, using the Drosophila model genetic system. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Non-coding organizing DNA elements are essential for functions in chromosome segregation, dosage compensation and piRNA production. Defects in these processes can lead to infertility, inviability, birth defects and aneuploidy in transitions to cancer. My lab has adopted a "surrogate" approach to study the function and evolution of such DNA elements, providing unique insight into the evolutionary pressures shaping these DNA elements and the essential biological processes they carry out.