Evolutionary Genomics of Moth Sex Pheromone Desaturases

Roelofs，Wendell L.标题：蛾性信息素去饱和酶的进化基因组研究将对真核生物中独有的去饱和酶基因多基因家族进行研究，因为它们只在蛾性性信息素腺体中发现。这些基因是信息素成分生物合成的关键，因此参与了交配交流系统的变化。因此，信息素混合物的进化可能是这些蛾物种物种形成过程中的一个关键因素。这个项目通过在基因组水平上观察基因的组织和多样化，将先前关于这些基因的表征的研究带入了一个新的方向。对欧洲玉米螟(ECB)蛾中发现的4种不同脱饱和酶基因的基因组DNA进行了深入分析，发现至少存在用于信息素生物合成的主要脱饱和酶的4种变体。在这些变体中发现了一些有趣的古老的转座元件，它们可以通过插入或接近启动子元件或其他调节元件来改变基因的表达。这些元素可以为这些去饱和酶基因在飞蛾中如何复制和进化提供重要信息。就在最近，一个ECB细菌人工染色体(BAC)文库从康奈尔实验室获得的ECB标本中生成并公开。它代表着一个巨大的资源，因为它允许分析欧洲央行基因组的非常大的片段。这些大片段将被用来生成欧洲央行去饱和酶基因的物理图谱。这些信息将揭示去饱和酶基因是否聚集在一起，存在多少簇，以及基因和簇是如何相对于其他基因和遗传元件在欧洲央行基因组的大片段中组织起来的。更广泛的影响：Roelofs实验室在培训博士后研究员和博士后方面有着悠久的历史。此外，康奈尔大学和霍巴特学院的本科生也被纳入该项目，进行暑期和独立学习研究。学生对该项目的研究做出了贡献，并获得了有关分子技术的有价值的培训。脱饱和酶项目的国际合作努力也将继续下去，包括来自中国的一名访问科学家目前在罗洛夫实验室接受分子技术培训，以识别脱饱和酶基因。除了在著名的科学期刊上发表研究结果外，研究人员还积极在专业会议上、向小学和中学班级以及许多地方和立法巡回团介绍工作。

Roelofs, Wendell L.Title: Evolutionary Genomics of Moth Sex Pheromone Desaturases Research will be conducted on a multigene family of desaturase genes unique among eukaryotes because they are found only in moth sex-pheromone glands. These genes are key to the biosynthesis of pheromone components, and, thus, are involved in generating changes in the mating communication system. Evolution of the pheromone blends, therefore, can be a key factor in the speciation process in these moth species. This project takes the previous studies on the characterization of these genes in a new direction by looking at the organization and diversification of the genes at the genomic level. An in-depth analysis of genomic DNA for the 4 different desaturase genes found in the European corn borer (ECB) moth has revealed the presence of at least 4 variants of the main desaturase used for pheromone biosynthesis. Some interesting ancient transposable elements were found in these variants that can alter gene expression by inserting into or close to promoter elements or other regulatory elements. These elements could provide important information on how these desaturase genes were duplicated and evolved in moths. Just recently an ECB bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was generated and made public from ECB specimen obtained from the Cornell laboratory. It represents a tremendous resource because it allows for the analysis of very large segments of the ECB genome. These large segments will be used to generate a physical map of desaturase genes in the ECB. This information will reveal if the desaturase genes are clustered, how many clusters exist, and how both genes and clusters are organized across large segments of the ECB genome in relation to other genes and genetic elements. Broader Impacts: The Roelofs laboratory has a long history of training post-doctoral fellows and Ph. D. students. Also, undergraduate students from Cornell University and Hobart College have been incorporated into the project to conduct summer and independent study research. Students contribute to the research of the proposed project and gain valuable training on the molecular techniques involved. International collaborative efforts on the desaturase project also will continue, including a visiting scientist from China now present in the Roelofs lab for training on molecular techniques to identify desaturase genes. The investigators are active in presenting the work at professional meetings, to primary and secondary school classes, and to many local and legislative touring groups, in addition to publishing the results in prestigious scientific journals.