Induction of kidney-related gene programs through co-option of SALL1 in mole ovotestes.

Schindler, Magdalena; Osterwalder, Marco; Harabula, Izabela; Wittler, Lars; Tzika, Athanasia C; Dechmann, Dina K N; Vingron, Martin; Visel, Axel; Haas, Stefan; Real, Francisca M (2023). Induction of kidney-related gene programs through co-option of SALL1 in mole ovotestes. Development, 150(17) The Company of Biologists 10.1242/dev.201562

Preview

Text dev201562.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY). Download (16MB) | Preview

Changes in gene expression represent an important source of phenotypic innovation. Yet, how such changes emerge and impact the evolution of traits remains elusive. Here, we explore the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of masculinizing ovotestes in female moles. By performing integrative analyses of epigenetic and transcriptional data in mole and mouse, we identified the co-option of SALL1 expression in mole ovotestes formation. Chromosome conformation capture analyses highlight a striking conservation of the 3D organization at the SALL1 locus, but an evolutionary divergence of enhancer activity. Interspecies reporter assays support the capability of mole-specific enhancers to activate transcription in urogenital tissues. Through overexpression experiments in transgenic mice, we further demonstrate the capability of SALL1 to induce kidney-related gene programs, which are a signature of mole ovotestes. Our results highlight the co-option of gene expression, through changes in enhancer activity, as a plausible mechanism for the evolution of traits.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

5 since deposited on 02 Aug 2023
5 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item