Evolution of developmental plasticity by opposing dosage of signalling-modifying enzymes

摘要: Polyphenism, the extreme form of developmental plasticity, is ability a genotype to produce discrete morphologies matched alternative environments. Because polyphenism likely be under switch-like molecular control, comparative genetic approach could reveal targets plasticity evolution. In nematode Pristionchus pacificus, which two feeding-morphs, threshold set by relative dosage lineage-specific enzymes that respond morph-inducing cues. One enzyme, sulfotransferase SEUD-1, integrates an intercellular signalling mechanism at its ultimate target, cells producing dimorphic mouthparts. Additionally, multiple alterations seud-1 support it as potential target for First, recent duplication in sister species reveals direct correlation between genomic and threshold. Second, laboratory selection on resulted changes transcriptional dosage. Our study thus offers explanation how plastic responses evolve.