This Program Project is conceived as a concerted effort to investigate some keystone issues in evolutionary genetics. The Project formulates a multi- level research program that utilized Drosophila as a model system. The main objectives are as follows: (1) To test """"""""molecular evolutionary clock"""""""" by cloning the superoxide dismutase (SOD gene region in a number of dipterans diverged over the las 80 million years and compare it with the SOD of humans and other organisms to ascertain whether this gene has experienced an accelerated evolution in the mammals, as has been claimed. (2) To sequence the SOD region in a large number of Drosophila melanogaster from four geographic regions to certain levels of genetic variation within and between populations. The SOD gene is particularly significant because of its apparent involvement in resistance to radiation and chemical agents, as well as aging. (3) To sequence four other gene regions (Gpdh, Adh, Xdh, and Ddc) in the 15 dipterans, and to sequence Sod i populations of Drosophila stimulants and D willistoni, in order to test the conclusions derived from the SOD results in D. melanogaster. (4) To examine theoretically and empirically the consequences of varying combinations of age-specific and density-dependent selection. (5) To determine the various physiological mechanisms that respond to age- specific or density-specific and density-dependent natural selection. This research program is highly relevant to advance our fundamental understanding of genetic disease and again among other health problems, for which model systems are critical. The Program Project consists of a core and five separate component projects, each of which will be led two or three of the five P>I>s in combinations that vary from one to another component. The components are highly interdependent conceptually, in experimental approach, and in the sharing of common facilities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
1P01GM042397-01A2
Application #
3096384
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SSS (P1))
Project Start
1991-07-01
Project End
1996-06-30
Budget Start
1991-07-01
Budget End
1992-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
Balakirev, Evgeniy S; Anisimova, Maria; Ayala, Francisco J (2006) Positive and negative selection in the beta-esterase gene cluster of the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup. J Mol Evol 62:496-510
Balakirev, Evgeniy S; Chechetkin, Vladimir R; Lobzin, Vasily V et al. (2005) Entropy and GC Content in the beta-esterase gene cluster of the Drosophila melanogaster subgroup. Mol Biol Evol 22:2063-72
Rodriguez-Trelles, Francisco; Tarrio, Rosa; Ayala, Francisco J (2005) Is ectopic expression caused by deregulatory mutations or due to gene-regulation leaks with evolutionary potential? Bioessays 27:592-601
Balakirev, Evgeniy S; Ayala, Francisco J (2004) The beta-esterase gene cluster of drosophila melanogaster: is psiEst-6 a pseudogene, a functional gene, or both? Genetica 121:165-79
Balakirev, E S; Ayala, F J (2004) [Pseudogenes: structure conservation, expression, and functions] Zh Obshch Biol 65:306-21
Leclerc, M C; Durand, P; Gauthier, C et al. (2004) Meager genetic variability of the human malaria agent Plasmodium vivax. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:14455-60
Balakirev, Evgeniy S; Ayala, Francisco J (2004) Nucleotide variation in the tinman and bagpipe homeobox genes of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 166:1845-56
Saenz-de-Miera, L E; Ayala, F J (2004) Complex evolution of orthologous and paralogous decarboxylase genes. J Evol Biol 17:55-66
Haag, K L; Alves-Junior, L; Zaha, A et al. (2004) Contingent, non-neutral evolution in a multicellular parasite: natural selection and gene conversion in the Echinococcus granulosus antigen B gene family. Gene 333:157-67
Arend, A C; Zaha, A; Ayala, F J et al. (2004) The Echinococcus granulosus antigen B shows a high degree of genetic variability. Exp Parasitol 108:76-80

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