The importance of alternative splicing in adaptive evolution
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
35094439
Abstract
Although alternative splicing is a ubiquitous co-transcriptional
gene regulatory mechanism
in plants, animals and fungi, its contribution to evolutionary transitions is understudied.
Alternative splicing enables different mRNA isoforms to be generated from
the same gene, expanding transcriptomic and thus proteomic diversity. While the role
of gene expression variation in adaptive evolution is widely accepted, biologists still
debate the functional impact of alternative isoforms on phenotype. In light of recent
empirical research linking splice variation to ecological adaptations, we propose that
alternative splicing is an important substrate for adaptive evolution and speciation,
particularly at short timescales. In this article we synthesise what is known about
the role of alternative splicing in adaptive evolution. We discuss the contribution of
standing splice variation to phenotypic plasticity and how hybridisation can produce
novel splice forms. Going forwards, we propose that alternative splicing be included
as a standard analysis alongside gene expression analysis so we can better understand
of how alternative splicing contributes to adaptive divergence at the micro-and
macroevolutionary
levels.
gene regulatory mechanism
in plants, animals and fungi, its contribution to evolutionary transitions is understudied.
Alternative splicing enables different mRNA isoforms to be generated from
the same gene, expanding transcriptomic and thus proteomic diversity. While the role
of gene expression variation in adaptive evolution is widely accepted, biologists still
debate the functional impact of alternative isoforms on phenotype. In light of recent
empirical research linking splice variation to ecological adaptations, we propose that
alternative splicing is an important substrate for adaptive evolution and speciation,
particularly at short timescales. In this article we synthesise what is known about
the role of alternative splicing in adaptive evolution. We discuss the contribution of
standing splice variation to phenotypic plasticity and how hybridisation can produce
novel splice forms. Going forwards, we propose that alternative splicing be included
as a standard analysis alongside gene expression analysis so we can better understand
of how alternative splicing contributes to adaptive divergence at the micro-and
macroevolutionary
levels.
Date Issued
2022-04
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Ahi, Ehsan Pashay |
Additional Credits
Journal
Molecular Ecology
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN
0962-1083
Access(Rights)
restricted