Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Curr Opin Microbiol. 2022 Jun;67:102140. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.02.002. Epub 2022 Mar 3.
At the level of the gene, mutation is the raw material for natural selection. However, at the level of the gene regulatory network (GRN), variation is revealed to selection via promiscuous regulator activity ('crosstalk'), which creates opportunities for genetic innovation that can facilitate adaptation. Many genetic and environmental features can contribute to increasing potential for crosstalk by facilitating non-cognate interactions between regulatory elements. If a novel interaction provides a fitness benefit, rewired GRNs with strengthened affinity for newly forged connections can be selected. Here, we identify factors that facilitate opportunities for crosstalk and rewiring between GRNs, consider whether features of some GRNs make them more 'rewireable' than others and if these features might constrain evolution towards convergent outcomes. We explore patterns from laboratory and natural microbial populations that show changes within GRNs during adaptation. Finally, we discuss the prospects and open questions in the field.
在基因水平上，突变是自然选择的原材料。然而，在基因调控网络（GRN）水平上，通过混杂的调控器活性（“串扰”）向选择揭示了变异，这为遗传创新创造了机会，从而促进了适应。许多遗传和环境特征可以通过促进调控元件之间的非同源相互作用来增加串扰的潜力。如果新的相互作用提供了适应性优势，那么具有增强的与新形成的连接亲和力的重连 GRN 可以被选择。在这里，我们确定了促进 GRN 之间串扰和重连机会的因素，考虑了某些 GRN 的特征是否使它们比其他 GRN 更“可重连”，以及这些特征是否可能限制进化走向趋同结果。我们探讨了实验室和自然微生物群体中的模式，这些模式显示了在适应过程中 GRN 内部的变化。最后，我们讨论了该领域的前景和悬而未决的问题。
