Interspecific and Intraspecific Transcriptomic Variations Unveil the Potential High-Altitude Adaptation Mechanisms of the Parnassius Butterfly Species
Author:
Ding Chen1, Su Chengyong1ORCID, Li Yali1, Zhao Youjie1, Wang Yunliang12, Wang Ying12, Nie Ruie1ORCID, He Bo1, Ma Junye3, Hao Jiasheng1
Affiliation:
1. College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China 2. College of Physical Education, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China 3. Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Abstract
Parnassius butterflies have significantly advanced our understanding of biogeography, insect–plant interactions, and other fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. However, to date, little is known about the gene expression patterns related to the high-altitude adaptation of Parnassius species. In this study, we obtained high-throughput RNA-seq data of 48 adult Parnassius individuals covering 10 species from 12 localities in China, and deciphered their interspecific and intraspecific expression patterns based on comparative transcriptomic analyses. Though divergent transcriptional patterns among species and populations at different altitudes were found, a series of pathways related to genetic information processing (i.e., recombination, repair, transcription, RNA processing, and ribosome biogenesis), energy metabolism (i.e., oxidative phosphorylation, thermogenesis, and the citrate cycle), and cellular homeostasis were commonly enriched, reflecting similar strategies to cope with the high-altitude environments by activating energy metabolism, enhancing immune defense, and concurrently inhibiting cell growth and development. These findings deepen our understanding about the molecular mechanisms of adaptative evolution to extreme environments, and provide us with some theoretical criteria for the biodiversity conservation of alpine insects.
Funder
National Science Foundation of China CAS Strategic Priority Research Program Natural Science Foundation of Universities of Anhui Province
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