Abstract

Reproductive proteins typically have high rates of molecular evolution, and are assumed to be under positive selection from sperm competition and cryptic female choice. However, ascribing evolutionary divergence in the genome to these processes of sexual selection from patterns of association alone is problematic. Here, we use an experimental manipulation of postmating sexual selection acting on populations of house mice and explore its consequences for the expression of seminal vesicle secreted (SVS) proteins. Following 25 generations of selection, males from populations subjected to postmating sexual selection had evolved increased expression of at least two SVS genes that exhibit the signature of positive selection at the molecular level, SVS1 and SVS2. These proteins contribute to mating plug formation and sperm survival in the female reproductive tract. Our data thereby support the view that sexual selection is responsible for the evolution of these seminal fluid proteins.

中文翻译：

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性选择影响家鼠精囊分泌基因的表达。

抽象的

生殖蛋白通常具有较高的分子进化速率，并被认为是从精子竞争和隐秘的女性选择中进行正选择。但是，将基因组的进化差异归因于仅从关联模式进行性选择的这些过程是有问题的。在这里，我们使用实验性操作过后对家鼠种群进行性选择，并探讨其对精囊分泌（SVS）蛋白表达的影响。在进行了25代的选择后，经历过性选择后种群的雄性进化出至少两个SVS基因（在分子水平上表现出阳性选择的特征）的表达增加，SVS1和SVS2。这些蛋白质有助于雌性生殖道中交配的栓塞形成和精子存活。因此，我们的数据支持以下观点，即性选择是这些精液蛋白进化的原因。