Repeated Evolution of Asexuality Involves Convergent Gene Expression Changes.

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Version: Final published version
License: CC BY 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_50533A2E2A2E
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Repeated Evolution of Asexuality Involves Convergent Gene Expression Changes.
Journal
Molecular biology and evolution
Author(s)
Parker D.J., Bast J., Jalvingh K., Dumas Z., Robinson-Rechavi M., Schwander T.
ISSN
1537-1719 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0737-4038
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/02/2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
36
Number
2
Pages
350-364
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Asexual reproduction has evolved repeatedly from sexual ancestors across a wide range of taxa. Whereas the costs and benefits associated with asexuality have received considerable attention, the molecular changes underpinning the evolution of asexual reproduction remain relatively unexplored. In particular, it is completely unknown whether the repeated evolution of asexual phenotypes involves similar molecular changes, as previous studies have focused on changes occurring in single lineages. Here, we investigate the extent of convergent gene expression changes across five independent transitions to asexuality in stick insects. We compared gene expression of asexual females to females of close sexual relatives in whole-bodies, reproductive tracts, and legs. We identified a striking amount of convergent gene expression change (up to 8% of genes), greatly exceeding that expected by chance. Convergent changes were also tissue-specific, and most likely driven by selection for functional changes. Genes showing convergent changes in the reproductive tract were associated with meiotic spindle formation and centrosome organization. These genes are particularly interesting as they can influence the production of unreduced eggs, a key barrier to asexual reproduction. Changes in legs and whole-bodies were likely involved in female sexual trait decay, with enrichment in terms such as sperm-storage and pigmentation. By identifying changes occurring across multiple independent transitions to asexuality, our results provide a rare insight into the molecular basis of asexual phenotypes and suggest that the evolutionary path to asexuality is highly constrained, requiring repeated changes to the same key genes.
Keywords
Animals, Biological Evolution, Female, Gene Expression, Insecta/genetics, Reproduction, Asexual/genetics
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
26/11/2018 14:23
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:30
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