Allorecognition genes drive reproductive isolation in Podospora anserina

• Allorecognition, the capacity to discriminate self from conspecific non-self, is a ubiquitous organismal feature typically governed by genes evolving under balancing selection. Here, we show that in the fungus Podospora anserina, allorecognition loci controlling vegetative incompatibility (het genes), define two reproductively isolated groups through pleiotropic effects on sexual compatibility. These two groups emerge from the antagonistic interactions of the unlinked loci het-r (encoding a NOD-like receptor) and het-v (encoding a methyltransferase and an MLKL/HeLo domain protein). Using a combination of genetic and ecological data, supported by simulations, we provide a concrete and molecularly defined example whereby the origin and coexistence of reproductively isolated groups in sympatry is driven by pleiotropic genes under balancing selection.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Evolutionsbiologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Evolutionary Biology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Podospora

Genetics

Speciation

Reproductive isolation

allorecognition

heterokaryon incompatibility genes

vegetative incompatibility

balancing selection

selfing

Biology with specialization in Systematics

Biologi med inriktning mot systematik

Biology with specialization in Evolutionary Genetics

Biologi med inriktning mot evolutionär genetik

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)