Fungal regulatory evolution: cis and trans in the balance.

FEBS Lett
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Regulatory divergence is likely a major driving force in evolution. Comparative genomics is being increasingly used to infer the evolution of gene regulation. Ascomycota fungi are uniquely suited among eukaryotes for regulatory evolution studies, due to broad phylogenetic scope, many sequenced genomes, and tractability of genomic analysis. Here we review recent advances in the identification of the contribution of cis- and trans-factors to expression divergence. Whereas current strategies have led to the discovery of surprising signatures and mechanisms, we still understand very little about the adaptive role of regulatory evolution. Empirical studies including experimental evolution, comparative functional genomics and hybrid and engineered strains are showing early promise toward deciphering the contribution of regulatory divergence to adaptation.

Year of Publication
2009
Journal
FEBS Lett
Volume
583
Issue
24
Pages
3959-65
Date Published
2009 Dec 17
ISSN
1873-3468
URL
DOI
10.1016/j.febslet.2009.11.032
PubMed ID
19914250
PubMed Central ID
PMC2823291
Links
Grant list
Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States
DP1 OD003958 / OD / NIH HHS / United States