The rapid evolution of reproductive proteins.
Many genes that mediate sexual reproduction, such as those involved in gamete recognition, diverge rapidly, often as a result of adaptive evolution. This widespread phenomenon might have important consequences, such as the establishment of barriers to fertilization that might lead to speciation. Sequence comparisons and functional studies are beginning to show the extent to which the rapid divergence of reproductive proteins is involved in the speciation process.
Swanson
Willie J
WJ
Department of Biology, University of California-Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA. willies@citrus.ucr.edu
Vacquier
Victor D
VD
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D011506:Proteins