Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
The widespread occurrence of phenotypic plasticity across all domains of life demonstrates its evolutionary significance. However, how plasticity itself evolves and how it contributes to evolution is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus with its feedi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2023-08-01
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| Series: | PLoS Biology |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002270 |
| _version_ | 1797668344257576960 |
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| author | Mohannad Dardiry Gabi Eberhard Hanh Witte Christian Rödelsperger James W Lightfoot Ralf J Sommer |
| author_facet | Mohannad Dardiry Gabi Eberhard Hanh Witte Christian Rödelsperger James W Lightfoot Ralf J Sommer |
| author_sort | Mohannad Dardiry |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The widespread occurrence of phenotypic plasticity across all domains of life demonstrates its evolutionary significance. However, how plasticity itself evolves and how it contributes to evolution is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus with its feeding structure plasticity using recombinant-inbred-line and quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) analyses between natural isolates. We show that a single QTL at a core developmental gene controls the expression of the cannibalistic morph. This QTL is composed of several cis-regulatory elements. Through CRISPR/Cas-9 engineering, we identify copy number variation of potential transcription factor binding sites that interacts with a single intronic nucleotide polymorphism. Another intronic element eliminates gene expression altogether, mimicking knockouts of the locus. Comparisons of additional isolates further support the rapid evolution of these cis-regulatory elements. Finally, an independent QTL study reveals evidence for parallel evolution at the same locus. Thus, combinations of cis-regulatory elements shape plastic trait expression and control nematode cannibalism. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T20:27:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef410d0c46e8499483a90a63527994b4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1544-9173 1545-7885 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T20:27:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef410d0c46e8499483a90a63527994b42023-10-02T12:17:29ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Biology1544-91731545-78852023-08-01218e300227010.1371/journal.pbio.3002270Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.Mohannad DardiryGabi EberhardHanh WitteChristian RödelspergerJames W LightfootRalf J SommerThe widespread occurrence of phenotypic plasticity across all domains of life demonstrates its evolutionary significance. However, how plasticity itself evolves and how it contributes to evolution is poorly understood. Here, we investigate the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus with its feeding structure plasticity using recombinant-inbred-line and quantitative-trait-locus (QTL) analyses between natural isolates. We show that a single QTL at a core developmental gene controls the expression of the cannibalistic morph. This QTL is composed of several cis-regulatory elements. Through CRISPR/Cas-9 engineering, we identify copy number variation of potential transcription factor binding sites that interacts with a single intronic nucleotide polymorphism. Another intronic element eliminates gene expression altogether, mimicking knockouts of the locus. Comparisons of additional isolates further support the rapid evolution of these cis-regulatory elements. Finally, an independent QTL study reveals evidence for parallel evolution at the same locus. Thus, combinations of cis-regulatory elements shape plastic trait expression and control nematode cannibalism.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002270 |
| spellingShingle | Mohannad Dardiry Gabi Eberhard Hanh Witte Christian Rödelsperger James W Lightfoot Ralf J Sommer Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. PLoS Biology |
| title | Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. |
| title_full | Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. |
| title_fullStr | Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. |
| title_short | Divergent combinations of cis-regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. |
| title_sort | divergent combinations of cis regulatory elements control the evolution of phenotypic plasticity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002270 |
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