Duplication of a conserved mitochondrial enzyme gene arms parasitoid wasps with venom cytotoxicity and oogenesis regulation
Abstract
Gene duplication, followed by neofunctionalization, is a key mechanism driving the emergence of evolutionary novelties. Despite its significance, the molecular and functional processes underlying this phenomenon remain incompletely understood. By tracing the evolutionary history of cysteine-S-conjugate beta-lyase genes within the kynurenine aminotransferase family, we identified a gene duplication event in parasitoid wasps of the Chalcidoidea superfamily. Notably, a single-copy, highly conserved mitochondria-localized physiological gene underwent a significant duplication, resulting in one copy being recruited into the venom system and acquired cytotoxicity against wasps' hosts. Through this neofunctionalization process, we observed several key evolutionary changes, including loss of ancestral mitochondrial localization and enzyme activity, acquisition of a secretory signal peptide, shift in expression pattern, positive selection, and the establishment of evolutionary acquired protein–protein interactions. Additionally, we found that another duplicate copy was specialized in wasps' ovary and repurposed for oogenesis regulation. Our study offers a detailed insight into the genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive functional diversification during the evolution of gene families.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (11)
Jiqiang Song
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
Zihan Qi
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
Chun He
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
Guilin Luo
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
Bo Yuan
Shan Xiao
Ningbo Academy of Agricultural Science
Yi Yang
Fang Wang
Gongyin Ye
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
Qi Fang
State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Biology and Ecological Regulation of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University
Zhichao Yan
Department of Entomology, Nanjing Agricultural University