Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38977960›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2024

Rapid evolution of promoters from germline-specifically expressed genes including transposon silencing factors.

David W J McQuarrie, Azad Alizada, Benjamin Czech Nicholson, Matthias Soller

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Article in BMC genomics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

David W J McQuarrieSchool of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Azad AlizadaCancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
Benjamin Czech NicholsonCancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
Matthias SollerSchool of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. m.soller@bham.ac.uk.

Funding

Cancer Research UK 21143Wellcome Trust 110161
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe piRNA pathway in animal gonads functions as an 'RNA-based immune system', serving to silence transposable elements and prevent inheritance of novel invaders. In Drosophila, this pathway relies on three gonad-specific Argonaute proteins (Argonaute-3, Aubergine and Piwi) that associate with 23-28 nucleotide piRNAs, directing the silencing of transposon-derived transcripts. Transposons constitute a primary driver of genome evolution, yet the evolution of piRNA pathway factors has not received in-depth exploration. Specifically, channel nuclear pore proteins, which impact piRNA processing, exhibit regions of rapid evolution in their promoters. Consequently, the question arises whether such a mode of evolution is a general feature of transposon silencing pathways.

resultsBy employing genomic analysis of coding and promoter regions within genes that function in transposon silencing in Drosophila, we demonstrate that the promoters of germ cell-specific piRNA factors are undergoing rapid evolution. Our findings indicate that rapid promoter evolution is a common trait among piRNA factors engaged in germline silencing across insect species, potentially contributing to gene expression divergence in closely related taxa. Furthermore, we observe that the promoters of genes exclusively expressed in germ cells generally exhibit rapid evolution, with some divergence in gene expression.

conclusionOur results suggest that increased germline promoter evolution, in partnership with other factors, could contribute to transposon silencing and evolution of species through differential expression of genes driven by invading transposons.

Indexed as

DNA Transposable ElementsEvolution, MolecularGene SilencingGerm CellsPromoter Regions, GeneticRNA, Small InterferingAnimalsArgonaute ProteinsDrosophilaDrosophila ProteinsArgonaute ProteinsDNA Transposable ElementsDrosophila ProteinsRNA, Small InterferingGermline transposon silencingNeuronal wiringNuclear pore complexPiwi-interacting RNA (piRNA)Promoter evolutionRapid evolutionRNA transgenerational inheritanceSpeciationTransposon silencing

Identifiers

PMID38977960
PMCPMC11229233

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.