Cis-regulatory evolution of Wnt family genes contributes to a morphological difference between silkworm species - PubMed
2 days ago
- #cis-regulatory evolution
- #Wnt genes
- #morphological diversity
- Cis-regulatory evolution of Wnt family genes contributes to morphological differences between silkworm species.
- Interspecific crosses identify genetic basis of caudal horn size difference between Bombyx mori and Bombyx mandarina.
- Three largest QTLs account for one-third of the mean horn length difference, with the largest on chromosome 4 encompassing a conserved Wnt gene cluster.
- Allele-specific expression analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 knockouts show tissue-specific cis-regulatory changes to Wnt1 and Wnt6 drive caudal horn size differences.
- Modularity of Wnt genes allows morphological evolution without widespread deleterious effects.