Polyploidy in animals: Effects of gene expression on sex determination, evolution and ecology

B. Wertheim, L. W. Beukeboom, L. van de Zande*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

62 Citations (Scopus)
151 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Polyploidy is rarer in animals than in plants. Why? Since Muller's observation in 1925, many hypotheses have been proposed and tested, but none were able to completely explain this intriguing fact. New genomic technologies enable the study of whole genomes to explain the constraints on or consequences of polyploidization, rather than focusing on specific genes or life history characteristics. Here, we review a selection of old and recent literature on polyploidy in animals, with emphasis on the consequences of polyploidization for gene expression patterns and genomic network interactions. We propose a conceptual model to contrast various scenarios for changes in genomic networks, which may serve as a framework to explain the different evolutionary dynamics of polyploidy in animals and plants. We also present new insights of genetic sex determination in animals and our emerging understanding of how animal sex determination systems may hamper or enable polyploidization, including some recent data on haplodiploids. We discuss the role of polyploidy in evolution and ecology, using a gene regulation perspective, and conclude with a synopsis regarding the effects of whole genome duplications on the balance of genomic networks. See also the sister articles focusing on plants by Ashman et al. and Madlung and Wendel in this themed issue. Copyright (c) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)256-285
Number of pages30
JournalCytogenetic and Genome Research
Volume140
Issue number2-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Animal polyploidy
  • Ecology
  • Evolution
  • Gene expression
  • Sex determination
  • RESYNTHESIZED BRASSICA-NAPUS
  • TRAGOPOGON-MISCELLUS ASTERACEAE
  • SPARTINA-ANGLICA HUBBARD,C.E.
  • PATTERN-RECOGNITION RECEPTORS
  • ALLOPOLYPLOID COFFEA-ARABICA
  • HOST-PARASITE INTERACTIONS
  • SPATZLE-PROCESSING ENZYME
  • WASP NASONIA-VITRIPENNIS
  • ACTIVE X-CHROMOSOME
  • RED VIZCACHA RAT

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