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

• 研究課題/領域番号: 20K06761
• 研究種目: 基盤研究(C)
• 配分区分: 基金
• 応募区分: 一般
• 審査区分: 小区分45010:遺伝学関連
• 研究機関: 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所
• 研究代表者: 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)
• 研究分担者: 印南 秀樹 総合研究大学院大学, 先導科学研究科, 教授 (90444140)
• 研究期間 (年度): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• 研究課題ステータス: 完了 (2023年度)
• 配分額: 4,290千円 (直接経費: 3,300千円、間接経費: 990千円); 2023年度: 1,170千円 (直接経費: 900千円、間接経費: 270千円); 2022年度: 1,170千円 (直接経費: 900千円、間接経費: 270千円); 2021年度: 1,170千円 (直接経費: 900千円、間接経費: 270千円); 2020年度: 780千円 (直接経費: 600千円、間接経費: 180千円)
• キーワード: Transposable Elements / gene conversion / genome evolution / Transposable Element / Gene conversion / evolution

研究開始時の研究の概要

We will test the role of non-allelic gene conversion between Transposable Elements (TEs) in the evolution of TEs, and in the evolution of regulatory networks using computer simulation and genomic data analyses.

研究実績の概要

Transposable Elements are thought to be key drivers of evolution and have most likely contributed to various evolutionary processes such as the rewiring of regulatory networks. We previously discussed how processes such as selection within TEs and non-allelic gene conversion between TEs contribute to the evolution of TEs and the evolution of host species. 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 and their contribution to genome evolution, in great detail that was not possible before. One of the major achievement has been our results on the evolution of TEs and their contribution to genome size evolution and centromere evolution in buckwheat species. We found that the differential activity of a small number of LTR retrotransposon families account for ~500 Mb difference in genome size between closely related species. We also found that the species specific activity of a particular LTR retrotransposon family of the CRM clade is associated with neocentromere, suggesting its role in speciation via centromere turnover. We are currently investigating the role of positive selection within this TE family that allowed its proliferation and association with centromeres, and the role of non-allelic gene conversion using molecular evolutionary analyses and by collaboration with experimental biologists.

研究成果

• [雑誌論文] Genome sequencing reveals the genetic architecture of heterostyly and domestication history of common buckwheat (2023)
  • 著者名/発表者名: Fawcett JA, Takeshima R, Kikuchi S, Yazaki E, Katsube-Tanaka T, Dong Y, Li M, Hunt HV, Jones MK, Lister DL, Ohsako T, Ogiso-Tanaka E, Fujii K, Hara T, Matsui K, Mizuno N, Nishimura K, Nakazaki T, Saito H, Takeuchi N, Ueno M, Matsumoto D, Norizuki M, Shirasawa K, Li C, Hirakawa H, Ota T, Yasui Y.
  • 雑誌名: Nature Plants 巻: 9 号: 8 ページ: 1236-1251
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01474-1
  • 査読あり / オープンアクセス / 国際共著
• [学会発表] The role of gene conversion between Transposable Elements in rewiring regulatory systems (2021)
  • 著者名/発表者名: Jeffrey Fawcett, Hideki Innan
  • 学会等名: Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan
  • 招待講演