Journal Article

Cryptic variation in morphological evolution: HSP90 as a capacitor for loss of eyes in cavefish

Rohner, N., Jarosz, D.F., Kowalko, J.E., Yoshizawa, M., Jeffery, W.R., Borowsky, R.L., Lindquist, S. and Tabin, C.J.

Record Number:
3008
Year:
2013
Journal:
Science
Pages:
1372-1375
Volume:
342
PMCID:
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1240276
Issue:
6164
Abstract:
In the process of morphological evolution, the extent to which cryptic, preexisting variation provides a substrate for natural selection has been controversial. We provide evidence that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) phenotypically masks standing eye-size variation in surface populations of the cavefish Astyanax mexicanus. This variation is exposed by HSP90 inhibition and can be selected for, ultimately yielding a reduced-eye phenotype even in the presence of full HSP90 activity. Raising surface fish under conditions found in caves taxes the HSP90 system, unmasking the same phenotypic variation as does direct inhibition of HSP90. These results suggest that cryptic variation played a role in the evolution of eye loss in cavefish and provide the first evidence for HSP90 as a capacitor for morphological evolution in a natural setting.
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species:
Astyanax jordani (Hubbs and Innes 1936) Buckup 2003