Sex-biased Expression of Genes and Transposable Elements in Hybrids from Drosophila mojavensis and Drosophila arizonae.

ABSTRACT: Sex-biased gene expression is one of the main forces driving differences between sexes. Transposable elements (TEs) have also been shown to display sex-specific expression, mainly in the gonads. Despite this clear sexual dimorphism in the transcriptome, their contribution to postzygotic isolation remains poorly understood. Here, we tested whether the balance of gene and TE expression between ovaries and testes is disrupted in hybrids, potentially contributing to reproductive barriers. We analyzed Drosophila mojavensis and Drosophila arizonae, sibling species that produce sterile hybrids with differences in sperm motility. We found that genes and TEs exhibit testis-biased expression in both parental species and their hybrids. Hybrid sterility appears to be driven by a few deregulated genes

SUBMITTER: Simao MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12862868 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature