The evolution of seminal fluid gene expression and postmating reproductive isolation in Drosophila.

Seminal fluid protein (Sfp) genes show, in general, a higher rate of sequence divergence than genes from other categories, which is often attributed to forms of postcopulatory sexual selection or sexual conflict. Recently, the relaxation of selective constraints has been proposed as an alternative explanation for the rapid sequence evolution of Sfps and other genes with sex-limited expression. The expression of Sfp genes is a likely target of selection, but the evolution of differences in their expression levels is less understood.

A predominant role of genotypic variation in both expression of sperm competition genes and paternity success in .

Sperm competition is a crucial aspect of male reproductive success in many species, including and seminal fluid proteins (Sfps) can influence sperm competitiveness. However, the combined effect of environmental and genotypic variation on sperm competition gene expression remains poorly understood. Here, we used Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) inbred lines and manipulated developmental population density (i.

Indel driven rapid evolution of core nuclear pore protein gene promoters.

Nuclear pore proteins (Nups) prominently are among the few genes linked to speciation from hybrid incompatibility in Drosophila. These studies have focused on coding sequence evolution of Nup96 and Nup160 and shown evidence of positive selection driving nucleoporin evolution. Intriguingly, channel Nup54 functionality is required for neuronal wiring underlying the female post-mating response induced by male-derived sex-peptide.

Gene expression differentiation in the reproductive tissues of Drosophila willistoni subspecies and their hybrids.

Early lineage diversification is central to understand what mutational events drive species divergence. Particularly, gene misregulation in interspecific hybrids can inform about what genes and pathways underlie hybrid dysfunction. In Drosophila hybrids, how regulatory evolution impacts different reproductive tissues remains understudied.

Drosophila as a Model for Human Viral Neuroinfections.

The study of human neurological infection faces many technical and ethical challenges. While not as common as mammalian models, the use of (fruit fly) in the investigation of virus-host dynamics is a powerful research tool. In this review, we focus on the benefits and caveats of using as a model for neurological infections and neuroimmunity.