The role of mitochondria in sex- and age-specific gene expression in a species without sex chromosomes.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondria perform an array of functions, many of which involve interactions with gene products encoded by the nucleus. These mitochondrial functions, particularly those involving energy production, can be expected to differ between sexes and across ages. Here we measured mitochondrial effects on sex- and age-specific gene expression in parental and reciprocal F1 hybrids between allopatric populations of Tigriopus californicus with over 20% mitochondrial DNA divergence. Because the species lacks sex chromosomes, sex-biased mitochondrial effects are not confounded by the effects of sex chromosomes. Using single-individual RNA sequencing, sex differences were found to explain more than 80% of the variance in gene expression. Males had higher expression of mitochondrial genes and mit

SUBMITTER: Li N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10723445 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature