Cis-regulatory changes in locomotor genes are associated with the evolution of burrowing behavior.
Publication information:
Hu C, York R, Metz HC, Bedford N, Fraser H, Hoekstra HE. Cis-regulatory changes in locomotor genes are associated with the evolution of burrowing behavior.
Cell Reports. 2022;38:110360.
Abstract
How evolution modifies complex, innate behaviors is largely unknown. Divergence in many morphological
traits, and some behaviors, is linked to cis-regulatory changes in gene expression. Given this, we compare
brain gene expression of two interfertile sister species of Peromyscus mice that show large and heritable differences
in burrowing behavior. Species-level differential expression and allele-specific expression in F1 hybrids
indicate a preponderance of cis-regulatory divergence, including many genes whose cis-regulation is
affected by burrowing behavior. Genes related to locomotor coordination show the strongest signals of
lineage-specific selection on burrowing-induced cis-regulatory changes. Furthermore, genetic markers
closest to these candidate genes associate with variation in burrow shape in a genetic cross, suggesting
an enrichment for loci affecting burrowing behavior near these candidate locomotor genes. Our results provide
insight into how cis-regulated gene expression can depend on behavioral context and how this dynamic
regulatory divergence between species may contribute to behavioral evolution.
traits, and some behaviors, is linked to cis-regulatory changes in gene expression. Given this, we compare
brain gene expression of two interfertile sister species of Peromyscus mice that show large and heritable differences
in burrowing behavior. Species-level differential expression and allele-specific expression in F1 hybrids
indicate a preponderance of cis-regulatory divergence, including many genes whose cis-regulation is
affected by burrowing behavior. Genes related to locomotor coordination show the strongest signals of
lineage-specific selection on burrowing-induced cis-regulatory changes. Furthermore, genetic markers
closest to these candidate genes associate with variation in burrow shape in a genetic cross, suggesting
an enrichment for loci affecting burrowing behavior near these candidate locomotor genes. Our results provide
insight into how cis-regulated gene expression can depend on behavioral context and how this dynamic
regulatory divergence between species may contribute to behavioral evolution.