Patterns of selection across gene regulatory networks

This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. The published version of this Preprint is available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.029. This is version 1 of this Preprint.

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Authors

Jeanne M. C. McDonald, Robert D. Reed

Abstract

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) are the core engine of organismal development. If we would like to understand the origin and diversification of phenotypes, it is necessary to consider the structure of GRNs in order to reconstruct the links between genetic mutations and phenotypic change. Much of the progress in evolutionary developmental biology, however, has occurred without a nuanced consideration of the evolution of functional relationships between genes, especially in the context of their broader network interactions. Characterizing and comparing GRNs across traits and species in a more detailed way will allow us to determine how network position influences what genes drive adaptive evolution. In this perspective paper, we consider the architecture of developmental GRNs and how positive selection strength may vary across a GRN. We then propose several testable models for these patterns of selection and experimental approaches to test these models.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32942/osf.io/9zq7d

Subjects

Cell and Developmental Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Evolution, Life Sciences

Keywords

development, evo-devo, gene regulation, gene regulatory networks

Dates

Published: 2022-04-25 16:41

License

CC-By Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International