A major goal in evolutionary genetics is to connect genotypic and phenotypic variation both within and between species to better understand the functional consequences of molecular variation, and ultimately the genetic basis of traits that affect fitness. Several male reproductive traits in mammals are likely to play a key role in fitness. Recent work in a variety of species has shown that genes involved in male reproduction are often targets of natural selection. The three main objectives of this study are to: 1) Test the hypothesis that genes involved in male reproduction in house mice are subject to positive natural selection, both within and between species. Rates of divergence in candidate loci will be investigated among four closely related Mus lineages and Rattus rattus. Polymorphism will be investigated in a sample of 20 wild-derived M. domesticus sampled from its native range; 2) Document naturally occurring phenotypic variation in sperm competitive ability using these same 20 M. domesticus males. Males will compete against a common male genotype for fertilizations; 3) Connect phenotypic variation in sperm competitive ability to genotypic variation observed in candidate loci. These studies will help uncover the genetic basis of male reproductive fitness in a natural population of house mice. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM070246-03
Application #
7068084
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08 (20))
Program Officer
Portnoy, Matthew
Project Start
2004-05-17
Project End
2007-05-16
Budget Start
2006-05-17
Budget End
2007-05-16
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$48,796
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
806345617
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
Dean, Matthew D; Findlay, Geoffrey D; Hoopmann, Michael R et al. (2011) Identification of ejaculated proteins in the house mouse (Mus domesticus) via isotopic labeling. BMC Genomics 12:306
Good, Jeffrey M; Giger, Thomas; Dean, Matthew D et al. (2010) Widespread over-expression of the X chromosome in sterile F?hybrid mice. PLoS Genet 6:e1001148
Dean, Matthew D; Nachman, Michael W (2009) Faster fertilization rate in conspecific versus heterospecific matings in house mice. Evolution 63:20-8
Dean, Matthew D; Clark, Nathaniel L; Findlay, Geoffrey D et al. (2009) Proteomics and comparative genomic investigations reveal heterogeneity in evolutionary rate of male reproductive proteins in mice (Mus domesticus). Mol Biol Evol 26:1733-43
Dean, Matthew D; Good, Jeffrey M; Nachman, Michael W (2008) Adaptive evolution of proteins secreted during sperm maturation: an analysis of the mouse epididymal transcriptome. Mol Biol Evol 25:383-92
Dean, M D; Ardlie, K G; Nachman, M W (2006) The frequency of multiple paternity suggests that sperm competition is common in house mice (Mus domesticus). Mol Ecol 15:4141-51