Identification of misregulated gene products and disrupted genetic pathways in male hybrids of Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators

Abstract

Although sterility in hybrids between species has been documented repeatedly, its genetic causes are poorly understood, and only one gene that may contribute directly to hybrid sterility has been identified. Hybrid sterility may be caused by genes failing to trigger other genes in what are referred to as "regulatory pathways", hence ultimately disrupting the processes that produce functional sperm. We propose to use a novel method to identify which genes are active in two Drosophila species but inactive in their hybrids, hence identifying the regulatory pathways that have been disrupted resulting in sterility. Modern evolutionary biologists have an impressive understanding of how genes evolve within populations, but a relatively poor understanding of how one species splits into two, as when their hybrids are sterile. This research will illuminate the mechanisms of speciation, providing insights into the fundamental evolutionary processes that regulate biodiversity on earth.