Genetic mechanism of hybrid sterility and dysgenesis caused by interspecific genomic incompatibility

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Correlative gene system: establishing next-generation genetics
• Project/Area Number: 23113004
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: MATUDA Yoichi 名古屋大学, 生命農学研究科, 教授 (70165835)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 雑種不妊 / 発育不全 / トランスクリプトーム / メチローム / ゲノムインプリンティング / 比較染色体地図 / 異質倍数性 / 同祖染色体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Interspecific F1 hybrids between Phodopus sungorus and P. campbelli and intergeneric F1 hybrids between chicken (Gallus gallus) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) exhibit hybrid sterility and embryonic growth retardation. To investigate the genetic mechanism of hybrid dysgenesis, we conducted transcriptome and methylome analyses for embryos and/or placenta of these hybrids and identified genes whose expression and methylation patterns change significantly. To explore the origins and consequences of tetraploidy in the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), we sequenced the genome and constructed the comparative cytogenetic map with the related diploid X. tropicalis genome. We characterized the allotetraploid origin of X. laevis by partitioning its genome into two homoeologous subgenomes, marked by distinct families of ‘fossil’ transposable elements. We have also highly developed our whole genome sequence data of Japanese quail and opened its genome assembly to the public.

Free Research Field

分子細胞遺伝学