The role of non-allelic gene conversion in the evolution of Transposable Elements

2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06761
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: FAWCETT JEFFREY 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 数理創造プログラム, 上級研究員 (50727394)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 印南 秀樹 総合研究大学院大学, 先導科学研究科, 教授 (90444140)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Transposable Elements / gene conversion

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Transposable Elements are thought to be key drivers of evolution and have most likely contributed to the rewiring of regulatory networks. In particular, we previously argued that non-allelic gene conversion between TEs likely contributes not only to the evolution of TEs, but also to the rewiring of regulatory networks via TEs. The drastic increase in whole-genome sequence data of various different species in the recent years provides the opportunity to understand the evolution of TEs, including the occurrence of non-allelic gene conversion and their contribution to genome evolution, in great detail that was not possible before. In this study, we have been exploring the evolutionary dynamics of TEs by theory, computer simulation using a previously developed framework, and genomic data analysis using genome sequences of various mammal and plant species. In particular, we have been able to show the contribution of the differential activity of different TE families to genome size evolution, genome structure, and centromere evolution in plant species.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

We have been able to prepare a manuscript including our results on the contribution of TEs to genome size evolution and centromere evolution in plants which is currently under review.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

We will summarize our findings of TE evolution based on theoretical study, simulation study, and genomic data analysis and develop a framework of TE evolution.

Causes of Carryover

I was not able to attend international conferences due to COVID, which I plan to in the next fiscal year.