A sulfotransferase dosage-dependently regulates mouthpart polyphenism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus

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. Here we report that lineage-specific sulfotransferase SEUD-1, which responds environmental cues, dosage-dependently regulates mouthparts in nematode Pristionchus pacificus. SEUD-1 expressed cells producing dimorphic morphologies, thereby integrating an intercellular signalling mechanism at its ultimate target. Additionally, multiple alterations seud-1 support it as potential target for First, recent duplication sister species reveals direct correlation between genomic dosage and threshold. Second, inbreeding divergent thresholds resulted changes transcriptional seud-1. Our study thus offers explanation how plastic responses evolve.