Abstract

The general goal is to understand the molecular basis of species differentiation by analyzing a recently duplicated gene, which is involved in hybrid male sterility. This speciation gene, Ods (Odysseus), was duplicated from the neuron-expressing gene, Unc4, during the evolution of Drosophila. Unc4 appears to retain the ancestral functions while Ods became specialized in a spermatogenic role. With this specialization, Ods has apparently diverged rapidly and such rapid divergence has made 0ds incompatible between species when hybrids are formed (Ting et al. 1998). The specific goal is to answer these questions: 1. Evolution of Ods sequence and expression: We will compare DNA sequences and expression patterns, both evolving rapidly, across Drosophila species. 2. Evolution of the normal functions of Ods: In order to understand Ods differentiation, we will use the new method of homology-dependent DNA insertion (Rong and Golic 2000) to replace the 0ds gene in D. melanogaster with those of D. mauritiana and D. simulans. Phenotypic and fitness changes due to the replacement will be assayed. 3. Evolution of the """"""""abnormal"""""""" function of 0ds: 0ds-induced hybrid sterility is considered the """"""""abnormal"""""""" function. By transgenic experiments, we will address the genetic mechanism by which 0ds sterilizes hybrid males.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM058686-06
Application #
7013150
Study Section
Genetics Study Section (GEN)
Program Officer
Eckstrand, Irene A
Project Start
1999-01-01
Project End
2007-01-31
Budget Start
2006-02-01
Budget End
2007-01-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$290,523
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Chicago
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637

  Publications

Hungate, Eric A; Earley, Eric J; Boussy, Ian A et al. (2013) A locus in Drosophila sechellia affecting tolerance of a host plant toxin. Genetics 195:1063-75
Huang, Wei; Cao, Xiaoyi; Zhong, Sheng (2010) Network-based comparison of temporal gene expression patterns. Bioinformatics 26:2944-51
Tang, Tian; Kumar, Supriya; Shen, Yang et al. (2010) Adverse interactions between micro-RNAs and target genes from different species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 107:12935-40
Liu, Xiaoyi; Fu, Yonggui; Liu, Zehuan et al. (2006) An ancient balanced polymorphism in a regulatory region of human major histocompatibility complex is retained in Chinese minorities but lost worldwide. Am J Hum Genet 78:393-400