Comparative single-cell analysis of transcriptional bursting reveals the role of genome organization in de novo transcript origination.

ABSTRACT: Spermatogenesis is a key developmental process underlying the origination of newly evolved genes. However, rapid cell type-specific transcriptomic divergence of the Drosophila germline has posed a significant technical barrier for comparative single-cell RNA-sequencing studies. By quantifying a surprisingly strong correlation between species- and cell type-specific divergence in three closely related Drosophila species, we apply a statistical procedure to identify a core set of 198 genes that are highly predictive of cell type identity while remaining robust to species-specific differences that span over 25 to 30 My of evolution. We then utilize cell type classifications based on the 198-gene set to show how transcriptional divergence in cell type increases throughout spermat

SUBMITTER: Lee U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12067204 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature