Hybrid Epigenomes Reveal Extensive Local Genetic Changes to Chromatin Accessibility Contribute to Divergence in Embryonic Gene Expression Between Species.

ABSTRACT: Chromatin accessibility plays an important role in shaping gene expression, yet little is known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that influence the evolution of chromatin configuration. Both local (cis) and distant (trans) genetic influences can in principle influence chromatin accessibility and are based on distinct molecular mechanisms. We, therefore, sought to characterize the role that each of these plays in altering chromatin accessibility in 2 closely related sea urchin species. Using hybrids of Heliocidaris erythrogramma and Heliocidaris tuberculata, and adapting a statistical framework previously developed for the analysis of cis and trans influences on the transcriptome, we examined how these mechanisms shape the regulatory landscape at 3 important developmental stages,

SUBMITTER: Devens HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10638671 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature