journal.pbio.1000335.pdf (3.46 MB)
The sexually antagonistic genes of Drosophila melanogaster
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 12:31 authored by Paolo Innocenti, Ted MorrowWhen selective pressures differ between males and females, the genes experiencing these conflicting evolutionary forces are said to be sexually antagonistic. Although the phenotypic effect of these genes has been documented in both wild and laboratory populations, their identity, number, and location remains unknown. Here, by combining data on sex-specific fitness and genome-wide transcript abundance in a quantitative genetic framework, we identified a group of candidate genes experiencing sexually antagonistic selection in the adult, which correspond to 8% of Drosophila melanogaster genes. As predicted, the X chromosome is enriched for these genes, but surprisingly they represent only a small proportion of the total number of sex-biased transcripts, indicating that the latter is a poor predictor of sexual antagonism. Furthermore, the majority of genes whose expression profiles showed a significant relationship with either male or female adult fitness are also sexually antagonistic. These results provide a first insight into the genetic basis of intralocus sexual conflict and indicate that genetic variation for fitness is dominated and maintained by sexual antagonism, potentially neutralizing any indirect genetic benefits of sexual selection.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
PLoS BiologyISSN
1544-9173Publisher
Public Library of ScienceExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
8Page range
1-10Article number
e1000335Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-10-26First Open Access (FOA) Date
2016-03-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-11-03Usage metrics
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