Genome research elucidating environmental adaptation of Dark-fly

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26430189
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Genome biology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University (2016); Kyoto University (2015); The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Fuse Naoyuki 東北大学, 薬学研究科, 助教 (80321983)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 環境適応 / ショウジョウバエ / ゲノム / トランスクリプトーム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Organisms are remarkably adapted to diverse environments, but molecular mechanism underlying environmental adaptation still remains elusive. To address this issue, we utilize a unique Drosophila line, "Dark-fly", which has been maintained for 62 years in a constant dark condition.
We determined whole genome sequence of Dark-fly using next-generation sequencer and identified approximately 220,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Dark-fly genome. To identify SNPs associated with dark-adaptation, we reared mixed populations of Dark-fly and the wild type fly in light and dark conditions. Our analyses of population genome detected environment-dependent selections of the Dark-fly genome. We consequently listed 84 candidate genes potentially involved in the adaptation of Dark-fly. We currently aim to clarify the roles of Dark-fly's SNPs in environmental adaptation using genome editing technology.

Free Research Field

ゲノム科学