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Investigating the role of a kinesin gene in butterfly mimicry

ReferenceBB/H014357/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor Mark Blaxter
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution University of Edinburgh
DepartmentInst of Evolutionary Biology
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 175,964
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 01/01/2011
End date 31/12/2013
Duration36 months

Abstract

Mimicry among butterfly species is a commonly cited example of evolution, and Heliconius are perhaps the best studied case, but the molecular genetic basis of mimicry remains poorly understood. Mimicry offers an opportunity to study the repeatability of evolution, as the same patterns emerge again and again in divergent lineages. The project falls into two areas, first we will carry out a genome scale population survey of adaptive divergence. First, a linkage map will be constructed using RAD tag Illumina sequencing to scaffold genome sequence contigs being generated by Baylor HGSC. This will improve assembly of the genome sequence currently in production. Then we will generate low coverage genome re-sequencing of six races of H. melpomene to identify variable sites. These will be used to design a sequence capture experiment to sample both 1.8MB across two wing pattern candidate regions, and 12,000 SNPs located across the genome. This will offer a unique genome-wide analysis of parallel divergence across three wing pattern hybrid zones. The second major aim of the project is to investigate the kinesin gene that represents a strong candidate locus for controlling the red forewing band of H. melpomene. We will study how spatial expression patterns of the gene vary between divergent phenotypes using in situ hybridisation, to test whether spatial regulation underlies pattern regulation. We will characterise the isoforms of this gene and test for correlations between isoform expression and wing phenotype. We will investigate the molecular function of the gene, including a search for interactor molecules and test of motor function. Finally, we will carry out a transgenic test of function of the kinesin gene by inserting a construct of 'red' allele of kinesin plus potential promotor sites into a 'yellow-banded' phenotype. This will be the first functional investigation of a gene underlying the spectacular adaptive radiation of butterflies.

Summary

Mimicry among butterfly species is a classic example of evolution and adaptation. The brightly coloured neotropical Heliconius butterflies are one of the best studied examples, but the molecular genetic basis of mimicry remains poorly understood. In particular mimicry offers an opportunity to study the repeatability of evolution, as the same patterns emerge again and again in divergent lineages. The project falls into two broad areas, first we use cutting edge sequencing technology to make a genetic map of the H. melpomene genome. This will be used to help assemble the genome sequence currently being generated. This will form the basis for a genome-wide survey of adaptive divergence between H. melpomene races. Divergent geographic populations of this species form narrow hybrid zones where they hybridise and exchange genes. Thus, narrow regions of the genome controlling wing patterns are genetically differentiated against a background of extensive recombination. This offers a powerful opportunity to identify changes responsible for wing pattern differentiation. We will first characterise variation within and between races by genome resequencing at low coverage. Then we will use novel 'sequence capture' technology to enrich genomic DNA for regions of interest from 96 individuals, taken from six phenotypic races of H. melpomene. The experiment will be designed to sample two chromosomal regions containing wing patterning genes, and a further 12,000 variable sites located across the genome. This will offer a unique genome-wide analysis of parallel divergence between the six populations sampled. In particular we aim to determine a) how much of the genome is involved in colour pattern divergence b) whether the same regions are implicated across independent hybrid zones c) estimate the age of the alleles involved in wing pattern divergence and d) identify putative functional sites for further analysis. The second major aim of the project is to investigate the kinesin genethat represents a strong candidate locus for controlling the red forewing band of H. melpomene. We will study the spatial distribution of kinesin gene expression patterns between divergent phenotypes, in order to test whether spatial regulation underlies pattern regulation. Many genes show different variants generated by alternative splicing, generating variant forms of the protein containing alternative forms of the exons. Alternative splicing is a potentially powerful but under-explored mechanism that could generate evolutionarily relevant variation. We have evidence for alternative splicing the Kinesin gene, and here will characterise the isoforms of this gene and test for correlations between isoform expression and wing phenotype. We will investigate the molecular function of the gene, including a search for other molecules that interact with the kinesin protein, and test to confirm its motor function. Finally, we will develop trangenics methods for explicitly testing the function of the kinesin gene in wing pattern specification in divergent races of H. melpomene. The major gene dominant control of the red band means that we expect to be able to generate a red-banded phenotype by expressing the 'red' kinesin allele in a yellow banded phenotype. This will provide the first explicit test of function for a gene causing pattern variation in any butterfly.

Impact Summary

Ever since Bates, Darwin and Wallace described mimicry in Amazonian butterflies, scientists have been interested in understanding its genetic control and evolutionary origins. Biology textbook still describe mimicry as a central paradigm of Natural Selection. However despite the level of interest, the gene we investigate here is arguably the first candidate gene for the evolutionary diversification of butterfly wing patterns. The impact of this grant is therefore in the publication and public interest in butterfly mimicry. Our previous grant in this subject area was heavily quoted by the press and we anticipate similar coverage for this proposal. Initially it is hard to see how investigation of a kinesin (a cell motor protein) in butterfly wing colour could be of anything but 'academic' interest. However our previous experience suggests that both the gene itself and the techniques we are using are of interest to the UK public. Press releases: We have run joint press releases with the University of Cambridge and University of Exeter press offices to cover work on butterfly wing colour. Variously described as 'Painting by numbers' and 'Natural selection takes flight', in publications ranging from the Guardian, Times, El Globo (Brazil), to the West Briton, we have achieved substantial media coverage. Web based data-bases and tool development: As well as technique development our work on butterflies has led to the creation of a unique database 'ButterflyBase' for the curation and analysis of non-Drosophilid insect sequences. The development of such databases will not only be useful for butterflies but will also serve as a repository for all other non-Drosophilid insect sequences. Communication and engagement: We have developed the wider outreach of our work through our Heliconius web site, which provides information on the biology of the butterflies in an accessible format and allows for the community to post articles of general interest. The site has receivedover 6000 visitors in the six months since launch of the updated site in January 2009. This project will offer an opportunity to take advantage of this popularity to promote genomics as well as in teaching modern evolutionary biology. In addition, the applicants will also maintain personal websites with updates on research, recent publications and press releases and actively campaign to publicly disseminate the information. Both Dr Jiggins and Professor ffrench-Constant are excellent public speakers who are used to addressing non-academic audiences in venues such as 'Café Scientifique' and addresses to the Royal Society (Dr Jiggins is a URF and Prof. ffrench-Constant a past Merit Award Holder). Collaboration and training: This proposal results from a long ongoing collaborations between Dr Jiggins at the University of Cambridge, Prof. ffrench-Constant at the University of Exeter and Prof Blaxter in Edinburgh. The work at each university has been used as a flag-ship to attract further funds from the Leverhulme Trust for Dr. Jiggins and £30 million for a new institute of Environmental Sustainability at Falmouth with 10 new posts with Prof. ffrench-Constant as Chair of the Search Committee. We will use the new posts gathered to drive further work in butterflies and natural selection at Exeter and in continued collaboration with Cambridge. The Jiggins group has also played an important role in developing educational links with Latin America, by hosting visiting students from Colombia, recruiting latin American PhD students and providing opportunities for research interns in our facility in Panama. Over the years, students with whom we have worked have gone on to do PhDs in the UK and US and successful research careers. The Edinburgh Lab has a proven expertise in genomics, and with recent investemants from MRC (£2.4 M), SULSA and NERC is well placed to deliver on the high throughput sequencing required.
Committee Research Committee A (Animal disease, health and welfare)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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