This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Currently, we are focusing on empirical side of self-incompatibility(S-) locus evolution. Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetic mechanism to prevent inbreeding in plants. S-locus determines mating specificities (who can mate with whom), and analogous to sex chromosome in human. Additionally, S-locus experiences evolutionary forces similar to MHC loci because both SI MHC are mechanisms of self-/nonself-recognition.2007-2008With Mike Hickerson(CUNY Queens) :
We aim to develop statistically rigorous computational tools to test phylogeographic hypotheses.Abstract: Fundamental questions about the determinants and dynamics of community assembly and the historically geographic nature of species diversity have been vexing the scientific community since before the times of Darwin. By estimating the geographic history of all species within a community, phylogeographic data may be able to address the controversial and unresolved hypotheses explaining the forces determining community assembly. Toward this goal, we are expanding hierarchical approximate Bayesian computation (hABC) models used in msBayes (a program which we released to test phylogeographic hypotheses such as simultaneous divergence of species pairs).2007-2008: With graduate student: Takashi Miyake, We are characterizing the diversification pattern of self-incompatibility locus at the molecular level in poppy.Abstract: Self-incompatibility is a genetic system of self-recognition that allows flowering plants to avoid self-fertilization. Self-incompatible plants are typically fertilized only by pollen with a different mating specificity (S-locus genotype), producing strong diversifying selection. Dozens of alleles may be maintained in a single population, and polymorphism within species is ancient. However, empirical knowledge of the evolutionary dynamics of self-incompatibility loci presently comes from just two systems, the RNase-based system in Solanaceae, Scrophulariaceae and Rosaceae, and the SRK system of Brassicaceae. We propose to characterize self-incompatibility in the Papaveraceae, which has a different molecular mechanism of self-incompatibility, by examining sequence diversity of S-alleles in five species of Papaveraceae from four genera. Diversifying selection creates and maintains extreme levels of genetic variation in terms of the numbers of alleles, their sequence divergence, and the age of polymorphism. Diversifying selection underlies many important processes in nature including self-recognition systems and disease resistance loci such as the human MHC loci. This study will reconstruct the history of diversification of a self-recognition gene that has not been previously examined, and will provide the first comparison of self-incompatibility loci in which the selective process is the same (gametophytic), but the molecular basis differs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20RR016466-08
Application #
7719955
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRR1-RI-7 (02))
Project Start
2008-05-01
Project End
2009-04-30
Budget Start
2008-05-01
Budget End
2009-04-30
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$193,235
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
615245164
City
Fairbanks
State
AK
Country
United States
Zip Code
99775
Wilson, Robert E; Ely, Craig R; Talbot, Sandra L (2018) Flyway structure in the circumpolar greater white-fronted goose. Ecol Evol 8:8490-8507
Hueffer, Karsten; Khatri, Shailesh; Rideout, Shane et al. (2017) Rabies virus modifies host behaviour through a snake-toxin like region of its glycoprotein that inhibits neurotransmitter receptors in the CNS. Sci Rep 7:12818
Ely, Craig R; Wilson, Robert E; Talbot, Sandra L (2017) Genetic structure among greater white-fronted goose populations of the Pacific Flyway. Ecol Evol 7:2956-2968
Talbot, Sandra L; Sage, George K; Sonsthagen, Sarah A et al. (2017) Intraspecific evolutionary relationships among peregrine falcons in western North American high latitudes. PLoS One 12:e0188185
Leewis, Mary-Cathrine; Uhlik, Ondrej; Fraraccio, Serena et al. (2016) Differential Impacts of Willow and Mineral Fertilizer on Bacterial Communities and Biodegradation in Diesel Fuel Oil-Contaminated Soil. Front Microbiol 7:837
Harley, John R; Bammler, Theo K; Farin, Federico M et al. (2016) Using Domestic and Free-Ranging Arctic Canid Models for Environmental Molecular Toxicology Research. Environ Sci Technol 50:1990-9
Hoffman, M; Taylor, B E; Harris, M B (2016) Evolution of lung breathing from a lungless primitive vertebrate. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 224:11-6
Vayndorf, Elena M; Scerbak, Courtney; Hunter, Skyler et al. (2016) Morphological remodeling of C. elegans neurons during aging is modified by compromised protein homeostasis. NPJ Aging Mech Dis 2:
Goldsmith, Elizabeth W; Renshaw, Benjamin; Clement, Christopher J et al. (2016) Population structure of two rabies hosts relative to the known distribution of rabies virus variants in Alaska. Mol Ecol 25:675-88
Leewis, Mary-Cathrine; Uhlik, Ondrej; Leigh, Mary Beth (2016) Synergistic Processing of Biphenyl and Benzoate: Carbon Flow Through the Bacterial Community in Polychlorinated-Biphenyl-Contaminated Soil. Sci Rep 6:22145

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