This proposal has two main aspects, focused on the function and evolution of reproductive genes. First, we will use a novel proteomics approach to identify the seminal fluid components that are transferred from males to females during mating in a variety of Drosophila species. This approach will utilize the genomic data from the twelve Drosophila genomes sequencing project, allowing for the investigation of the evolutionary dynamics of these genes. We anticipate finding evidence for adaptive evolution. Additionally, we expect to uncover dynamic gene gain/loss. From these analyses, we will gain insights into the evolution of a unique class of reproductive proteins. A common finding in genome sequencing projects is the rapid evolution of reproductive genes. However, these genes are usually predicted to be involved in reproduction based only upon tissue expression or indirect evidence. By combining our proteomic data with genomic resources, we will have a unique set of reproductive genes to investigate this general observation. The second aspect of our proposal is to investigate the functional differentiation of these genes, using both sequence data and quantitative mass spectrometry. Drosophila seminal fluid is implicated in many aspects of sperm competition. Additionally, heritable genetic variation exists within populations for these traits. However, few associations between seminal fluid genes and sperm competition phenotype have been reported. We will utilize a clonal method to generate hemiclonal males from an outbred population and screen these flies for the extreme tails of sperm competitiveness. These lines will be analyzed for both seminal fluid gene sequence variation and quantity of each seminal fluid protein transferred. The latter is a novel approach and directly measures the relevant biological trait (quantity of protein transferred to females), rather than the typical approach of measuring transcript abundance in male flies. Relevance to public health: Genome sequencing projects repeatedly find reproductive genes to be the most divergent genes from a wide variety of organisms, including humans. A complete molecular understanding of reproduction and fertilization requires investigation into why these genes are evolving so rapidly. While the proposal focuses on Drosophila, similar classes of genes and evolutionary dynamics have been observed in primate seminal fluid. Therefore, the results here may provide insights into primate reproductive biology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD057974-02
Application #
7628406
Study Section
Genetic Variation and Evolution Study Section (GVE)
Program Officer
Moss, Stuart B
Project Start
2008-06-01
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2009-06-01
Budget End
2010-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$285,586
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
Claw, Katrina G; George, Renee D; MacCoss, Michael J et al. (2018) Quantitative evolutionary proteomics of seminal fluid from primates with different mating systems. BMC Genomics 19:488
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Rice, William R (2014) An X-linked sex ratio distorter in Drosophila simulans that kills or incapacitates both noncarrier sperm and sons. G3 (Bethesda) 4:1837-48
Claw, Katrina G; George, Renee D; Swanson, Willie J (2014) Detecting coevolution in mammalian sperm-egg fusion proteins. Mol Reprod Dev 81:531-8
Koester, Julie A; Swanson, Willie J; Armbrust, E Virginia (2013) Positive selection within a diatom species acts on putative protein interactions and transcriptional regulation. Mol Biol Evol 30:422-34
Palmer, Melody R; McDowall, Margo H; Stewart, Lia et al. (2013) Mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing reveal an abundant and rapidly evolving abalone sperm protein. Mol Reprod Dev 80:460-5
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Ferreira, Zélia; Hurle, Belen; Andrés, Aida M et al. (2013) Sequence diversity of Pan troglodytes subspecies and the impact of WFDC6 selective constraints in reproductive immunity. Genome Biol Evol 5:2512-23
Aagaard, Jan E; George, Renee D; Fishman, Lila et al. (2013) Selection on plant male function genes identifies candidates for reproductive isolation of yellow monkeyflowers. PLoS Genet 9:e1003965
Aagaard, Jan E; Springer, Stevan A; Soelberg, Scott D et al. (2013) Duplicate abalone egg coat proteins bind sperm lysin similarly, but evolve oppositely, consistent with molecular mimicry at fertilization. PLoS Genet 9:e1003287

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