Microevolution of cis-Regulatory Elements: An Example from the Pair-Rule Segmentation Gene fushi tarazu in the Drosophila melanogaster Subgroup

摘要: The importance of non-coding DNAs that control transcription is ever noticeable, but the characterization and analysis evolution such presents challenges not found in coding sequences. In this study cis-regulatory elements pair rule segmentation gene fushi tarazu (ftz) I report DNA sequences ftz's zebra element (promoter) a region containing proximal enhancer from total 45 fly lines belonging to several populations species Drosophila melanogaster, D. simulans, sechellia, mauritiana, yakuba, teissieri, orena erecta. Both evolve at slower rate than ftz synonymous sites, thus reflecting their functional importance. promoter evolves more slowly average for sequence while, on average, rapidly, suggesting constraint effective purifying selection former. Comparative number nature base substitutions failed detect significant evidence positive/adaptive transcription-factor-binding sites. These seem similar rates regions known bind factors. Although result reflects evolutionary flexibility factor binding it also suggests complex still completely understood even characterized latter contain parts those currently identified, some which probably binding. This illustrates ways assignments within cis-acting can be used search adaptive evolution, highlights difficulties how assignment carried out.