Natural selection favors a newly derived timeless allele in Drosophila melanogaster.
Tauber, Eran ; Zordan, Mauro ; Sandrelli, Federica ; et al. ; - ASI Sponsor
Jun - 2007
ISSN : 1095-9203 ;
journal : Science (New York, N.Y.)

Issue : 5833
type: Article Journal

Abstract
Circadian and other natural clock-like endogenous rhythms may have evolved to anticipate regular temporal changes in the environment. We report that a mutation in the circadian clock gene timeless in Drosophila melanogaster has arisen and spread by natural selection relatively recently in Europe. We found that, when introduced into different genetic backgrounds, natural and artificial alleles of the timeless gene affect the incidence of diapause in response to changes in light and temperature. The natural mutant allele alters an important life history trait that may enhance the flys adaptation to seasonal conditions.

keywords : Alleles,Amino Acid Sequence,Animals,Base Sequence,Circadian Rhythm,Circadian Rhythm: genetics,Drosophila Proteins,Drosophila Proteins: genetics,Drosophila Proteins: physiology,Drosophila melanogaster,Drosophila melanogaster: genetics,Drosophila melanogaster: physiology,Europe,Evolution,Female,Genetic,Geography,Haplotypes,Molecular,Molecular Sequence Data,Mutation,Photoperiod,Phylogeny,Polymorphism,Protein Isoforms,Protein Isoforms: genetics,Protein Isoforms: physiology,Reproduction,Seasons,Selection,Temperature,Transformation