A sulfotransferase dosage-dependently regulates mouthpart polyphenism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus

Linh T. Bui, Nicholas A. Ivers and Erik J. Ragsdale ()
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Linh T. Bui: Indiana University
Nicholas A. Ivers: Indiana University
Erik J. Ragsdale: Indiana University

Nature Communications, 2018, vol. 9, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Polyphenism, the extreme form of developmental plasticity, is the ability of a genotype to produce discrete morphologies matched to alternative environments. Because polyphenism is likely to be under switch-like molecular control, a comparative genetic approach could reveal the molecular targets of plasticity evolution. Here we report that the lineage-specific sulfotransferase SEUD-1, which responds to environmental cues, dosage-dependently regulates polyphenism of mouthparts in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus. SEUD-1 is expressed in cells producing dimorphic morphologies, thereby integrating an intercellular signalling mechanism at its ultimate target. Additionally, multiple alterations of seud-1 support it as a potential target for plasticity evolution. First, a recent duplication of seud-1 in a sister species reveals a direct correlation between genomic dosage and polyphenism threshold. Second, inbreeding to produce divergent polyphenism thresholds resulted in changes in transcriptional dosage of seud-1. Our study thus offers a genetic explanation for how plastic responses evolve.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05612-8

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