Genetic and developmental basis of evolutionary pelvic reduction in threespine sticklebacks

Hindlimb loss has evolved repeatedly in many different animals by means of molecular mechanisms that are still unknown. To determine the number and type of genetic changes underlying pelvic reduction in natural populations, we carried out genetic crosses between threespine stickleback fish with complete or missing pelvic structures. Genome-wide linkage mapping shows that pelvic reduction is controlled by one major and four minor chromosome regions. Pitx1 maps to the major chromosome region controlling most of the variation in pelvic size. Pelvic-reduced fish show the same left-right asymmetry seen in Pitx1 knockout mice, but do not show changes in Pitx1 protein sequence. Instead, pelvic-reduced sticklebacks show site-specific regulatory changes in Pitx1 expression, with reduced or absent expression in pelvic and caudal fin precursors. Regulatory mutations in major developmental control genes may provide a mechanism for generating rapid skeletal changes in natural populations, while preserving the essential roles of these genes in other processes.     

Genetics and the making of Homo sapiens

Understanding the genetic basis of the physical and behavioural traits that distinguish humans from other primates presents one of the great new challenges in biology. Of the millions of base-pair differences between humans and chimpanzees, which particular changes contributed to the evolution of human features after the separation of the Pan and Homo lineages 5-7 million years ago? How can we identify the 'smoking guns' of human genetic evolution from neutral ticks of the molecular evolutionary clock? The magnitude and rate of morphological evolution in hominids suggests that many independent and incremental developmental changes have occurred that, on the basis of recent findings in model animals, are expected to be polygenic and regulatory in nature. Comparative genomics, population genetics, gene-expression analyses and medical genetics have begun to make complementary inroads into the complex genetic architecture of human evolution.     

Morphological evolution through multiple cis-regulatory mutations at a single gene

One central, and yet unsolved, question in evolutionary biology is the relationship between the genetic variants segregating within species and the causes of morphological differences between species. The classic neo-darwinian view postulates that species differences result from the accumulation of small-effect changes at multiple loci. However, many examples support the possible role of larger abrupt changes in the expression of developmental genes in morphological evolution. Although this evidence might be considered a challenge to a neo-darwinian micromutationist view of evolution, there are currently few examples of the actual genes causing morphological differences between species. Here we examine the genetic basis of a trichome pattern difference between Drosophila species, previously shown to result from the evolution of a single gene, shavenbaby (svb), probably through cis-regulatory changes. We first identified three distinct svb enhancers from D. melanogaster driving reporter gene expression in partly overlapping patterns that together recapitulate endogenous svb expression. All three homologous enhancers from D. sechellia drive expression in modified patterns, in a direction consistent with the evolved svb expression pattern. To test the influence of these enhancers on the actual phenotypic difference, we conducted interspecific genetic mapping at a resolution sufficient to recover multiple intragenic recombinants. This functional analysis revealed that independent genetic regions upstream of svb that overlap the three identified enhancers are collectively required to generate the D. sechellia trichome pattern. Our results demonstrate that the accumulation of multiple small-effect changes at a single locus underlies the evolution of a morphological difference between species. These data support the view that alleles of large effect that distinguish species may sometimes reflect the accumulation of multiple mutations of small effect at select genes.     

Genetic diversity and chloroquine selective sweeps in Plasmodium falciparum

Widespread use of antimalarial agents can profoundly influence the evolution of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Recent selective sweeps for drug-resistant genotypes may have restricted the genetic diversity of this parasite, resembling effects attributed in current debates to a historic population bottleneck. Chloroquine-resistant (CQR) parasites were initially reported about 45 years ago from two foci in southeast Asia and South America, but the number of CQR founder mutations and the impact of chlorquine on parasite genomes worldwide have been difficult to evaluate. Using 342 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers from a genetic map, here we show that the level of genetic diversity varies substantially among different regions of the parasite genome, revealing extensive linkage disequilibrium surrounding the key CQR gene pfcrt and at least four CQR founder events. This disequilibrium and its decay rate in the pfcrt-flanking region are consistent with strong directional selective sweeps occurring over only approximately 20-80 sexual generations, especially a single resistant pfcrt haplotype spreading to very high frequencies throughout most of Asia and Africa. The presence of linkage disequilibrium provides a basis for mapping genes under drug selection in P. falciparum.     

Regulatory evolution of shavenbaby/ovo underlies multiple cases of morphological parallelism

Cases of convergent evolution that involve changes in the same developmental pathway, called parallelism, provide evidence that a limited number of developmental changes are available to evolve a particular phenotype. To our knowledge, in no case are the genetic changes underlying morphological convergence understood. However, morphological convergence is not generally assumed to imply developmental parallelism. Here we investigate a case of convergence of larval morphology in insects and show that the loss of particular trichomes, observed in one species of the Drosophila melanogaster species group, has independently evolved multiple times in the distantly related D. virilis species group. We present genetic and gene expression data showing that regulatory changes of the shavenbaby/ovo (svb/ovo) gene underlie all independent cases of this morphological convergence. Our results indicate that some developmental regulators might preferentially accumulate evolutionary changes and that morphological parallelism might therefore be more common than previously appreciated.     

分子标记技术及其在果树种质资源研究中的应用

分子标记是一种新型的遗传标记，它具有独特的优越性，被广泛地应用于生物学研究的各个领域，本文就当前分子标记的主要类型、特点及在果树品种鉴定、遗传多样性、系谱分析、连锁图谱的构建和基因标记等种质资源研究中的应用及其研究进展进行了简要阐述。     

Repeated morphological evolution through cis-regulatory changes in a pleiotropic gene

The independent evolution of morphological similarities is widespread. For simple traits, such as overall body colour, repeated transitions by means of mutations in the same gene may be common. However, for more complex traits, the possible genetic paths may be more numerous; the molecular mechanisms underlying their independent origins and the extent to which they are constrained to follow certain genetic paths are largely unknown. Here we show that a male wing pigmentation pattern involved in courtship display has been gained and lost multiple times in a Drosophila clade. Each of the cases we have analysed (two gains and two losses) involved regulatory changes at the pleiotropic pigmentation gene yellow. Losses involved the parallel inactivation of the same cis-regulatory element (CRE), with changes at a few nucleotides sufficient to account for the functional divergence of one element between two sibling species. Surprisingly, two independent gains of wing spots resulted from the co-option of distinct ancestral CREs. These results demonstrate how the functional diversification of the modular CREs of pleiotropic genes contributes to evolutionary novelty and the independent evolution of morphological similarities.     

Global variation in copy number in the human genome

Copy number variation (CNV) of DNA sequences is functionally significant but has yet to be fully ascertained. We have constructed a first-generation CNV map of the human genome through the study of 270 individuals from four populations with ancestry in Europe, Africa or Asia (the HapMap collection). DNA from these individuals was screened for CNV using two complementary technologies: single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays, and clone-based comparative genomic hybridization. A total of 1,447 copy number variable regions (CNVRs), which can encompass overlapping or adjacent gains or losses, covering 360 megabases (12% of the genome) were identified in these populations. These CNVRs contained hundreds of genes, disease loci, functional elements and segmental duplications. Notably, the CNVRs encompassed more nucleotide content per genome than SNPs, underscoring the importance of CNV in genetic diversity and evolution. The data obtained delineate linkage disequilibrium patterns for many CNVs, and reveal marked variation in copy number among populations. We also demonstrate the utility of this resource for genetic disease studies.     

遗传作图软件应用及辅助软件的研制

介绍了当前普遍用于遗传图谱构建和ＱＴＬ定位的软件ＭＡＰＭＡＫＥＲ３．０（ｆｏｒＰＣ）的功能、数据结构和基本操作命令与步骤；指出了该软件存在的问题与不足。介绍了作者开发的用于遗传图谱构建中方便研究者建立符合ＭＡＰＭＡＫＥＲ要求的分析数据文件，以及对标记的分离比进行检验的辅助软件ＭＤＡＣ。提出了进一步开发中文版新一代遗传作图软件、建立基因组图谱数据库和基于因特网（Ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ）的基因组信息检索等设想。     

“活化石”植物银杏形态与分子进化（Ⅰ）

测定了银杏雌株核糖体ｒＲＮＡ基因转录间隔区ｒＤＮＡＩＴＳ区全序列共１１７２碱基对,其中ＩＴＳ１长７８８碱基对,ＩＴＳ２２２６碱基对,５８ＳｒＲＮＡ基因１５８碱基对．采用计算机分析软件对所获得序列进行比较分析．结果表明：形态上仅有很少变化的银杏,其个体之间有明显的分子差异,不同产地栽培株ｒＤＮＡＩＴＳ区序列的核苷酸差异值高达２５％,这一差异远远大于一般意义上种间的距离,表明了该类植物形态上的变化与分子进化的不一致．造成形态与分子进化不一致的原因有待进一步探讨．     

Sonic hedgehog function in chondrichthyan fins and the evolution of appendage patterning

The genetic mechanisms regulating tetrapod limb development are well characterized, but how they were assembled during evolution and their function in basal vertebrates is poorly understood. Initial studies report that chondrichthyans, the most primitive extant vertebrates with paired appendages, differ from ray-finned fish and tetrapods in having Sonic hedgehog (Shh)-independent patterning of the appendage skeleton. Here we demonstrate that chondrichthyans share patterns of appendage Shh expression, Shh appendage-specific regulatory DNA, and Shh function with ray-finned fish and tetrapods. These studies demonstrate that some aspects of Shh function are deeply conserved in vertebrate phylogeny, but also highlight how the evolution of Shh regulation may underlie major morphological changes during appendage evolution.     

Convergent evolution in mechanical design of lamnid sharks and tunas

The evolution of 'thunniform' body shapes in several different groups of vertebrates, including whales, ichthyosaurs and several species of large pelagic fishes supports the view that physical and hydromechanical demands provided important selection pressures to optimize body design for locomotion during vertebrate evolution. Recognition of morphological similarities between lamnid sharks (the most well known being the great white and the mako) and tunas has led to a general expectation that they also have converged in their functional design; however, no quantitative data exist on the mechanical performance of the locomotor system in lamnid sharks. Here we examine the swimming kinematics, in vivo muscle dynamics and functional morphology of the force-transmission system in a lamnid shark, and show that the evolutionary convergence in body shape and mechanical design between the distantly related lamnids and tunas is much more than skin deep; it extends to the depths of the myotendinous architecture and the mechanical basis for propulsive movements. We demonstrate that not only have lamnids and tunas converged to a much greater extent than previously known, but they have also developed morphological and functional adaptations in their locomotor systems that are unlike virtually all other fishes.     

Accelerated evolution of a false-truffle from a mushroom ancestor

THE false-truffles (Hymenogastrales) are a group of basidomycetous fungi that produce underground truffle-like basidiocarps. They are generally believed to be independently derived from several mushroom lineages, but extensive morphological divergence often obscures recognition of these phylogenetic connections. Comparisons of mitochondrial DNA now demonstrate a surprisingly close relationship between species of false-truffles in the genus Rhizopogon (Hymenogastraceae) and the mushroom genus Suillus (Boletaceae). The striking morphological differences separating all Suillus species from Rhizopogon imply an acceleration in the rate of morphological change relative to molecular change during the evolution of these false-truffles from their mushroom ancestors. This acceleration can best be explained by rapid morphological divergence resulting from selective pressures which may have acted on a small number of developmental genes.     

The genomic basis of adaptive evolution in threespine sticklebacks

Marine stickleback fish have colonized and adapted to thousands of streams and lakes formed since the last ice age, providing an exceptional opportunity to characterize genomic mechanisms underlying repeated ecological adaptation in nature. Here we develop a high-quality reference genome assembly for threespine sticklebacks. By sequencing the genomes of twenty additional individuals from a global set of marine and freshwater populations, we identify a genome-wide set of loci that are consistently associated with marine-freshwater divergence. Our results indicate that reuse of globally shared standing genetic variation, including chromosomal inversions, has an important role in repeated evolution of distinct marine and freshwater sticklebacks, and in the maintenance of divergent ecotypes during early stages of reproductive isolation. Both coding and regulatory changes occur in the set of loci underlying marine-freshwater evolution, but regulatory changes appear to predominate in this well known example of repeated adaptive evolution in nature.     

关于将脊椎动物形态解剖与分类学实验合并的思考与探索

动物形态解剖特征是分类的重要依据,与动物的进化和生态适应密不可分.但现有的动物学实验教材却将脊椎动物各纲的形态解剖与分类设置为不同的实验,这样就造成了形态解剖与分类学实验在时间、材料和内容上的脱节,影响学习效果.笔者建议在今后的实验教材编制、实验大纲设置和实验操作过程中,将这两类分别独立开设的实验合并为一个大实验.在学生系统学完一章的理论知识后,通过这一综合性实验,使学生能将动物的结构与分类鉴别特征及其生态功能的适应性有机地结合,以增强学习内容之间的内在联系,减少资源浪费,提高学生学习的兴趣和效率.     

Rapid evolution of male reproductive genes in the descent of man

A diverse body of morphological and genetic evidence has suggested that traits pertaining to male reproduction may have evolved much more rapidly than other types of character. Recently, DNA sequence comparisons have also shown a very high level of divergence in male reproductive proteins between closely related Drosophila species, among marine invertebrates and between mouse and rat. Here we show that rapid evolution of male reproductive genes is observable in primates and is quite notable in the lineages to human and chimpanzee. Nevertheless, rapid evolution by itself is not necessarily an indication of positive darwinian selection; relaxation of negative selection is often equally compatible with the DNA sequence data. By taking three statistical approaches, we show that positive darwinian selection is often the driving force behind this rapid evolution. These results open up opportunities to test the hypothesis that sexual selection plays some role in the molecular evolution of higher primates.     

分子进化中性理论的进展

中性理论与达尔文的自然选择进化论有明显的差别。中性论认为在分子水平上覆盖着多数的进化改变，是在连续产生突变时，由于选择中性（即选择相等），使突变得到随机的固定（即小群体内，样本的随机漂变）。还认为在分子水平上，大多数的种内变异（如蛋白质和ＤＮＡ多态）是选择中性或近于中性，它们能够保持在种内是由于突变的产生和随机消失之间的平衡引起的。近年来，ＤＮＡ顺序的研究资料，都有力地支持中性论，如鼠的拟球蛋白基因、鼹鼠的αＡ－晶状体蛋白、流行性感冒Ａ病毒基因，果蝇的核和线粒体基因等。所以，从地球上生命的历史来看，中性进化的改变至少在数量上已超过达尔文自然选择进化的改变。     

Positive correlation between recombination rate and nucleotide diversity is shown under domestication selection in the chicken genome

Positive correlation between recombination rate and nucleoUde diversity has been observed in a wide variety of eukaryotes on megabase scale. On the basis of genome-wide chicken genetic variation map generated by comparing three domestic breeds with wild ancestor and the positions of markers on the genetic linkage map, we found that SNPs rates were similar for all chromosomes while the recombination rates increased in micro chromosomes. In other words no correlation exists in chromosome size. Nevertheless, when we scanned the genome by calculating the values of each characteristic within non-overlapping windows, instead of single value for each chromosomes, the nucleoUde diversity was found to be significantly correlated with the recombination rate （r=0.27, P〈0.0005）. Furthermore, the significant association not only existed between these two features, but also existed between all 6 pairwise combinations of nucleoUde diversity, recombination rate, GC content and average gene length. This co-variation is very meaningful for the studies of sequence evolution.