Conserved nuclear hormone receptors controlling a novel plastic trait target fast-evolving genes expressed in a single cell.

ABSTRACT: Environment shapes development through a phenomenon called developmental plasticity. Deciphering its genetic basis has potential to shed light on the origin of novel traits and adaptation to environmental change. However, molecular studies are scarce, and little is known about molecular mechanisms associated with plasticity. We investigated the gene regulatory network controlling predatory vs. non-predatory dimorphism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus and found that it consists of genes of extremely different age classes. We isolated mutants in the conserved nuclear hormone receptor nhr-1 with previously unseen phenotypic effects. They disrupt mouth-form determination and result in animals combining features of both wild-type morphs. In contrast, mutants in another conserved nuclear h

SUBMITTER: Sieriebriennikov B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7179942 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature