Transcription factor DUO1 generated by neo-functionalization is associated with evolution of sperm differentiation in plants

Asuka Higo, Tomokazu Kawashima, Michael Borg, Mingmin Zhao, Irene López-Vidriero, Hidetoshi Sakayama, Sean A. Montgomery, Hiroyuki Sekimoto, Dieter Hackenberg, Masaki Shimamura, Tomoaki Nishiyama, Keiko Sakakibara, Yuki Tomita, Taisuke Togawa, Kan Kunimoto, Akihisa Osakabe, Yutaka Suzuki, Katsuyuki T. Yamato, Kimitsune Ishizaki, Ryuichi NishihamaTakayuki Kohchi, José M. Franco-Zorrilla, David Twell, Frédéric Berger, Takashi Araki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evolutionary mechanisms underlying innovation of cell types have remained largely unclear. In multicellular eukaryotes, the evolutionary molecular origin of sperm differentiation is unknown in most lineages. Here, we report that in algal ancestors of land plants, changes in the DNA-binding domain of the ancestor of the MYB transcription factor DUO1 enabled the recognition of a new cis-regulatory element. This event led to the differentiation of motile sperm. After neo-functionalization, DUO1 acquired sperm lineage-specific expression in the common ancestor of land plants. Subsequently the downstream network of DUO1 was rewired leading to sperm with distinct morphologies. Conjugating green algae, a sister group of land plants, accumulated mutations in the DNA-binding domain of DUO1 and lost sperm differentiation. Our findings suggest that the emergence of DUO1 was the defining event in the evolution of sperm differentiation and the varied modes of sexual reproduction in the land plant lineage.

Original languageEnglish
Article number5283
JournalNature Communications
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, The Author(s).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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