The evolution of sex-determining mechanisms: lessons from temperature-sensitive mutations in sex determination genes in Caenorhabditis elegans

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
C H ChandlerFredric J Janzen

Abstract

Sexual reproduction is one of the most taxonomically conserved traits, yet sex-determining mechanisms (SDMs) are quite diverse. For instance, there are numerous forms of environmental sex determination (ESD), in which an organism's sex is determined not by genotype, but by environmental factors during development. Important questions remain regarding transitions between SDMs, in part because the organisms exhibiting unique mechanisms often make difficult study organisms. One potential solution is to utilize mutant strains in model organisms better suited to answering these questions. We have characterized two such strains of the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These strains harbour temperature-sensitive mutations in key sex-determining genes. We show that they display a sex ratio reaction norm in response to rearing temperature similar to other organisms with ESD. Next, we show that these mutations also cause deleterious pleiotropic effects on overall fitness. Finally, we show that these mutations are fundamentally different at the genetic sequence level. These strains will be a useful complement to naturally occurring taxa with ESD in future research examining the molecular basis of and the selective forces driving evol...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 10, 2010·The Journal of Heredity·Jennifer L AndersonPatrick C Phillips
Apr 12, 2013·BMC Genomics·Kenji ToyotaTaisen Iguchi
Oct 1, 2011·The Quarterly Review of Biology·Tobias Uller, Heikki Helanterä
Jan 10, 2012·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Christopher H ChandlerFredric J Janzen
Jan 18, 2018·BMC Biology·Adam HakimOded Rechavi
Mar 18, 2010·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Laura RossDavid M Shuker
Feb 22, 2014·Nature Communications·Chen ChenHong-Xuan Lin
Jan 17, 2019·Journal, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology·Nima HashemianMaryam Edrisi
Aug 17, 2014·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·L Basten SnoekSimon C Harvey
Oct 10, 2013·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Jill T AndersonThomas Mitchell-Olds
Sep 7, 2019·Genetics·Asher D CutterPatrick C Phillips

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