RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Duplication and Sub/neofunctionalization of malvolio, an Insect Homolog of nramp, in the Subsocial Beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 135590
DO 10.1101/135590
A1 Elijah C. Mehlferber
A1 Kyle M. Benowitz
A1 Eilleen M. Roy-Zokan
A1 Elizabeth C. McKinney
A1 Christopher B. Cunningham
A1 Allen J. Moore
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/05/09/135590.abstract
AB Gene duplication has long been thought to play a facilitating role in evolution. With growing numbers of sequenced genomes, increasing numbers of duplicate genes are uncovered with unknown functions. Here we examine malvolio, a gene involved in heavy metal transport but that also affects behavior in honey bees and Drosophila. There is only one copy of malvolio in honey bees and Drosophila despite its different roles. A phylogenetic analysis in insects suggests that malvolio has duplicated multiple times in different orders. To test if the two copies might have different functions, we examined expression levels of malvolio in brain, fat bodies, Malpighian tubules, midgut, ovaries, testes and thoracic musculature in the beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. We found that mvl1 was expressed in all tissues, with highest expression in fat bodies and relatively lower expression in testes, Malpighian tubules, and brain, and ovaries. Expression of mvl2 differed, with significant expression only seen in brain and midgut. Because malvolio has been implicated in behavior, and these beetles have highly developed parenting behavior, we next examined expression during different behavioral states including virgin, mating, preparing resources for offspring, feeding offspring and post care. We found differing expression patterns for the two copies, with mvl1 increasing in expression during resource preparation and feeding offspring, and mvl2 decreasing in these same states. Given these patterns of expression, we suggest that malvolio in N. vespilloides has experienced sub/neofunctionalization following its duplication, and is evolving differing and tissue-specific roles in behavior and physiology.