scholarly journals A single QTL with large effect is associated with female functional virginity in an asexual parasitoid wasp

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Juan Ma ◽  
Bart A. Pannebakker ◽  
Xuan Li ◽  
Elzemiek Geuverink ◽  
Seyed Yahya Anvar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asexual Reproduction ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Parasitoid Wasp ◽  
Gradual Transition ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Asobara Tabida ◽  
Complex Protein

AbstractDuring the transition from sexual to asexual reproduction, a suite of reproduction-related sexual traits become superfluous, and may be selected against if costly. Female functional virginity refers to asexual females resisting to mate or not fertilizing eggs after mating. These traits appear to be among the first that evolve during the gradual transition from sexual to asexual reproduction. The genetic basis of female functional virginity remains elusive. Previously, we reported that female functional virginity segregates as a single recessive locus in the asexual parasitoid wasp Asobara japonica. Here, we investigate the genetic basis of this trait by quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and candidate gene analyses. Consistent with the segregation of phenotypes, a single QTL of large effect was found spanning over 4.23 Mb and comprising at least 131 protein-coding genes, of which 15 featured sex-biased expression in the related sexual Asobara tabida. We speculate that two of these 15 genes may be of particular interest: CD151 antigen and nuclear pore complex protein Nup50. Overall, our results are consistent with a single gene or a cluster of linked genes underlying rapid evolution of female functional virginity in the transition to asexuality. Once a mutation for rejection to mate has swept through a population, the region comprising the gene(s) does not get smaller due to lack of recombination in asexuals.

Reaching Future Scientists, Consumers, & Citizens

2014 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 379-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Hicks ◽  
Rebecca J. Cline ◽  
Angela M. Trepanier
Keyword(s):  
Personalized Medicine ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
Adult Onset ◽  
Biology Textbooks ◽  
Multifactorial Diseases ◽  
Single Gene Disorders

An understanding of how genomics information, including information about risk for common, multifactorial disease, can be used to promote personal health (personalized medicine) is becoming increasingly important for the American public. We undertook a quantitative content analysis of commonly used high school textbooks to assess how frequently the genetic basis of common multifactorial diseases was discussed compared with the “classic” chromosomal–single gene disorders historically used to teach the concepts of genetics and heredity. We also analyzed the types of conditions or traits that were discussed. We identified 3957 sentences across 11 textbooks that addressed multifactorial and “classic” genetic disorders. “Classic” gene disorders were discussed relatively more frequently than multifactorial diseases, as was their genetic basis, even after we enriched the sample to include five adult-onset conditions common in the general population. Discussions of the genetic or hereditary components of multifactorial diseases were limited, as were discussions of the environmental components of these conditions. Adult-onset multifactorial diseases are far more common in the population than chromosomal or single-gene disorders; many are potentially preventable or modifiable. As such, they are targets for personalized medical approaches. The limited discussion in biology textbooks of the genetic basis of multifactorial conditions and the role of environment in modifying genetic risk may limit the public’s understanding and use of personalized medicine.

scholarly journals Genome Editing Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model β-Cell Disease and Unmask Novel Genetic Modifiers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew N. George ◽  
Karla F. Leavens ◽  
Paul Gadue
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Genome Editing ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Genetic Disease ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Monogenic Diabetes ◽  
Human Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Genetic Modifiers ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Protein Coding

A mechanistic understanding of the genetic basis of complex diseases such as diabetes mellitus remain elusive due in large part to the activity of genetic disease modifiers that impact the penetrance and/or presentation of disease phenotypes. In the face of such complexity, rare forms of diabetes that result from single-gene mutations (monogenic diabetes) can be used to model the contribution of individual genetic factors to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and the breakdown of glucose homeostasis. Here we review the contribution of protein coding and non-protein coding genetic disease modifiers to the pathogenesis of diabetes subtypes, as well as how recent technological advances in the generation, differentiation, and genome editing of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) enable the development of cell-based disease models. Finally, we describe a disease modifier discovery platform that utilizes these technologies to identify novel genetic modifiers using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients with monogenic diabetes caused by heterozygous mutations.

scholarly journals A health disparities study of MicroRNA-146a expression in prostate cancer samples derived from African American and European American patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Monet Stevenson ◽  
Narendra Narendra Banerjee ◽  
Narendra Banerjee ◽  
Kuldeep Rawat ◽  
Lin Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
African American ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Micro Rna ◽  
Genome Wide Association Studies ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Prostate Carcinogenesis

Considering the prevalence of prostate cancer all over the world, it is desired to have tools, technologies, and biomarkers which help in early detection of the disease and discriminate different races and ethnic groups. Genetic information from the single gene analysis and genome-wide association studies have identified few biomarkers, however, the drivers of prostate cancer remain unknown in the majority of prostate cancer patients. In those cases where genetic association has been identified, the genes confer only a modest risk of this cancer, hence, making them less relevant for risk counseling and disease management. There is a need for additional biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. MicroRNAs are a class of non-protein coding RNA molecules that are frequently dysregulated in different cancers including prostate cancer and show promise as diagnostic biomarkers and targets for therapy. Here we describe the role of micro RNA 146a (miR-146a) which may serve as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for prostate cancer, as indicated from the data presented in this report. Also, a pilot study indicated differential expression of miR-146a in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues from different racial groups. Reduced expression of miR-146a was observed in African American tumor tissues compared to those from European Whites This report provides a novel insight into understanding the prostate carcinogenesis.

scholarly journals Unique Genomic and Phenotypic Responses to Extreme and Variable pH Conditions in Purple Urchin Larvae

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-331
Author(s):  
April D Garrett ◽  
Reid S Brennan ◽  
Anya L Steinhart ◽  
Aubrey M Pelletier ◽  
Melissa H Pespeni
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Allele Frequency ◽  
Sea Urchin ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Adaptive Genetic Variation ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Purple Sea Urchin ◽  
Ph Conditions ◽  
Frequency Changes ◽  
Genetic Responses

Synopsis Environmental variation experienced by a species across space and time can promote the maintenance of genetic diversity that may be adaptive in future global change conditions. Selection experiments have shown that purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, populations have adaptive genetic variation for surviving pH conditions at the “edge” (pH 7.5) of conditions experienced in nature. However, little is known about whether populations have genetic variation for surviving low-pH events beyond those currently experienced in nature or how variation in pH conditions affects organismal and genetic responses. Here, we quantified survival, growth, and allele frequency shifts in experimentally selected developing purple sea urchin larvae in static and variable conditions at three pH levels: pH 8.1 (control), pH 7.5 (edge-of-range), and pH 7.0 (extreme). Variable treatments recovered body size relative to static treatments, but resulted in higher mortality, suggesting a potential tradeoff between survival and growth under pH stress. However, within each pH level, allele frequency changes were overlapping between static and variable conditions, suggesting a shared genetic basis underlying survival to mean pH regardless of variability. In contrast, genetic responses to pH 7.5 (edge) versus pH 7.0 (extreme) conditions were distinct, indicating a unique genetic basis of survival. In addition, loci under selection were more likely to be in exonic regions than regulatory, indicating that selection targeted protein-coding variation. Loci under selection in variable pH 7.5 conditions, more similar to conditions periodically experienced in nature, performed functions related to lipid biosynthesis and metabolism, while loci under selection in static pH 7.0 conditions performed functions related to transmembrane and mitochondrial processes. While these results are promising in that purple sea urchin populations possess genetic variation for surviving extreme pH conditions not currently experienced in nature, they caution that increased acidification does not result in a linear response but elicits unique physiological stresses and survival mechanisms.

The molecular systematics of blowflies and screwworm flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using 28S rRNA, COX1 and EF-1α: insights into the evolution of dipteran parasitism

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (13) ◽  
pp. 1760-1777 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURA M. McDONAGH ◽  
JAMIE R. STEVENS
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Data ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Evolutionary Status ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Gene Trees ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence Data ◽  
The Family

SUMMARYThe Calliphoridae include some of the most economically significant myiasis-causing flies in the world – blowflies and screwworm flies – with many being notorious for their parasitism of livestock. However, despite more than 50 years of research, key taxonomic relationships within the family remain unresolved. This study utilizes nucleotide sequence data from the protein-coding genes COX1 (mitochondrial) and EF1α (nuclear), and the 28S rRNA (nuclear) gene, from 57 blowfly taxa to improve resolution of key evolutionary relationships within the family Calliphoridae. Bayesian phylogenetic inference was carried out for each single-gene data set, demonstrating significant topological difference between the three gene trees. Nevertheless, all gene trees supported a Calliphorinae-Luciliinae subfamily sister-lineage, with respect to Chrysomyinae. In addition, this study also elucidates the taxonomic and evolutionary status of several less well-studied groups, including the genus Bengalia (either within Calliphoridae or as a separate sister-family), genus Onesia (as a sister-genera to, or sub-genera within, Calliphora), genus Dyscritomyia and Lucilia bufonivora, a specialised parasite of frogs and toads. The occurrence of cross-species hybridisation within Calliphoridae is also further explored, focusing on the two economically significant species Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata. In summary, this study represents the most comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of family Calliphoridae undertaken to date.

scholarly journals Parallel adaptation of rabbit populations to myxoma virus

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 363 (6433) ◽  
pp. 1319-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel M. Alves ◽  
Miguel Carneiro ◽  
Jade Y. Cheng ◽  
Ana Lemos de Matos ◽  
Masmudur M. Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Antiviral Effect ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
European Rabbit ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Evolution Of Resistance

In the 1950s the myxoma virus was released into European rabbit populations in Australia and Europe, decimating populations and resulting in the rapid evolution of resistance. We investigated the genetic basis of resistance by comparing the exomes of rabbits collected before and after the pandemic. We found a strong pattern of parallel evolution, with selection on standing genetic variation favoring the same alleles in Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. Many of these changes occurred in immunity-related genes, supporting a polygenic basis of resistance. We experimentally validated the role of several genes in viral replication and showed that selection acting on an interferon protein has increased the protein’s antiviral effect.

scholarly journals Transmission of a genetic trait through total conjugation in a hypotrich ciliateParaurostyla weissei. Genetic basis of the multi-left-marginal mutant

1985 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Jerka-Dziadosz ◽  
Bozena Dubielecka
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Phenotypic Change ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genetic Trait ◽  
Mendelian Segregation ◽  
Cell Cycles ◽  
Slow Growth Rate ◽  
Sexual Process ◽  
Aberrant Phenotype

SUMMARYThe genetic basis of slow growth rate and aberrations in the ciliary pattern was studied in the multi-left-marginal variant ofParaurostyla weissei. The 3:1 segregation in F2 sibling crosses and 1:1 segregation in test crosses indicate that the aberrant phenotype is controlled by a recessive allele at a single gene locus termedmlm. The phenotypic change from wild type tomlmtakes place about 5–8 cell cycles after conjugation. The study established that total conjugation inP. weisseiis a true sexual process in which meiosis, fertilization and Mendelian segregation occur.

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