Molecular Genetics of Speciation Driven by Intragenomic Conflicts

描述(由申请人提供)：物种形成是指杂交种群被分成生殖隔离的种群的过程。我们实验室的长期研究目标是验证这一假设，即通向合子后生殖隔离的第一步是由于性别比减数分裂驱动系统的进化。性别比减数分裂驱动是一种非孟德尔分离现象，表现为性染色体和常染色体之间的遗传冲突。在这项拟议的研究中，我们将描述与减数分裂驱动和/或杂交雄性不育有关的基因。首先，我们将通过小RNA图谱和转基因技术研究冬季性别比，以了解这一系统涉及的分子机制。其次，我们将研究达勒姆性别比，以表征属于这个性别比系统的成员或与其相互作用的杂交雄性不育基因。最后，我们希望确定减数分裂驱动和物种形成之间的分子和进化联系。与公共卫生相关：物种形成是指杂交种群被分成生殖隔离的种群的过程。我们建议确定减数分裂驱动和物种形成之间的分子和进化联系。减数分裂驱动是基因组内遗传冲突的一种形式。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Speciation is the process by which an interbreeding population becomes divided into reproductively isolated groups. The long-term research goal in our laboratory is to test the hypothesis that the first steps toward postzygotic reproductive isolation are due to the evolution of sex-ratio meiotic drive systems. Sex- ratio meiotic drive is a phenomenon of non-Mendelian segregation manifested by genetic conflicts between sex chromosomes and autosomes. In the proposed research, we shall characterize genes involved in meiotic drive and/or hybrid male sterility. First, we will study the Winter sex-ratio for the molecular mechanisms involved for this system through small RNA profiling and transgenics. Second, we will study the Durham sex-ratio to characterize the hybrid male sterility loci that are either member of or interacting with this sex-ratio system. In the end, we expect to determine the molecular and evolutionary link between meiotic drive and speciation. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Speciation is the process by which an interbreeding population becomes divided into reproductively isolated groups. We propose to determine the molecular and evolutionary link between meiotic drive, a form of genetic conflicts within a genome, and speciation.