Adaptation to Freshwater in Allis Shad Involved a Combination of Genomic and Epigenomic Changes.

ABSTRACT: Epigenetic modifications are one of the evolutionary mechanisms that allow individuals and populations to adapt to environmental changes. However, the relative importance of epigenetic versus genetic changes in adaptation and how they may interact remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of DNA methylation in adaptation by studying a population of Allis shad (Alosa alosa) that evolved a completely freshwater life history approximately 70 years ago and the anadromous one that founded it. Using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, we identified 227 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between them, overlapping known important genes for freshwater adaptation, such as ATP2B4, PRLH2, and KCNF1A. Enrichment analysis of GO terms suggested that genes in the identified D

SUBMITTER: Pereira P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12198289 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature