Work

Evolution of the Drosophila Nuclear Pore Complex Results in Multiple Hybrid Incompatibilities

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: Speciation often involves the evolution of incompatible gene interactions that cause sterility or lethality in hybrids between populations. These so-called hybrid incompatibilities occur between two or more functionally divergent loci. We show that the nucleoporin 160kDa (Nup160) gene of the fruitfly Drosophila simulans is incompatible with one or more factors on the D. melanogaster X chromosome, causing hybrid lethality. Nup160 encodes a nuclear pore complex protein and shows evidence of adaptive evolution. Furthermore, the protein encoded by Nup160 directly interacts with that of another hybrid lethality gene, Nup96, indicating that at least two lethal hybrid incompatibility genes have evolved as byproducts of divergent coevolution among interacting components of the Drosophila nuclear pore complex.

Source: Science

DOI: 10.1126/science.1169123

Authors: Shanwu Tang, Daven C. Presgraves

Institutions: Harvard University, University of Rochester

Language: English

Topic: Chromosomal and Genetic Variations

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: G4445232488