Contrasting patterns of evolutionary constraint and novelty revealed by comparative sperm proteomic analysis in Lepidoptera

• DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4293-2
• Publication Date: 2017-12-02T07:06:45Z
• Authors: Emma Whittington; Desiree Forsythe; Kirill Borziak; Timothy L. Karr; James R. Walters; Steve Dorus
• Keywords: Danaus; Proteome; Ostrinia

Rapid evolution is a hallmark of reproductive genetic systems and arises through the combined processes sequence divergence, gene gain loss, changes in protein expression. While studies aiming to disentangle molecular ramifications these are progressing, we still know little about basis evolutionary transitions systems. Here conduct first comparative analysis sperm proteomes Lepidoptera, group that exhibits dichotomous spermatogenesis, which males produce functional fertilization-competent (eupyrene) an incompetent morph lacking nuclear DNA (apyrene). Through integrated application proteomics genomics, characterize genomic patterns potentially associated with origination this unique spermatogenic process assess importance novelty Lepidopteran biology. Comparison newly characterized Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) proteome those Carolina sphinx moth (Manduca sexta) fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) demonstrated conservation at level abundance post-translational modification within Lepidoptera. In contrast, analyses across insects reveals significant divergence two levels differentiate architecture Lepidoptera from other insects. First, reduction orthology among genes relative remainder genome non-Lepidopteran insect species was observed. Second, substantial number proteins were found be specific they lack detectable homology genomes more distantly related Lastly, broadly supported by their increased conserved Our results identify burst amongst may origin heteromorphic spermatogenesis ancestral and/or subsequent system. This pattern diversification distinct thus suggests transition has had marked impact on lepidopteran evolution. The identification abundant including between lineages, will accelerate future understand developmental fertilization apyrene morph.