Convergent evolution of toxin resistance in animals
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In: Biological Reviews, Vol. 97, No. 5, 10.2022, p. 1823-1843.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Convergent evolution of toxin resistance in animals
AU - van Thiel, Jory
AU - Khan, Muzaffar A.
AU - Wouters, Roel M.
AU - Harris, Richard J.
AU - Casewell, Nicholas R.
AU - Fry, Bryan G.
AU - Kini, R. Manjunatha
AU - Mackessy, Stephen P.
AU - Vonk, Freek J.
AU - Wüster, Wolfgang
AU - Richardson, Michael K.
PY - 2022/10
Y1 - 2022/10
N2 - Convergence is the phenomenon whereby similar phenotypes evolve independently in different lineages. One example is resistance to toxins in animals. Toxins have evolved many times throughout the tree of life. They disrupt molecular and physiological pathways in target species, thereby incapacitating prey or deterring a predator. In response, molecular resistance has evolved in many species exposed to toxins to counteract their harmful effects. Here, we review current knowledge on the convergence of toxin resistance using examples from a wide range of toxin families. We explore the evolutionary processes and molecular adaptations driving toxin resistance. However, resistance adaptations may carry a fitness cost if they disrupt the normal physiology of the resistant animal. Therefore, there is a trade-off between main- taining a functional molecular target and reducing toxin susceptibility. There are relatively few solutions that satisfy this trade-off. As a result, we see a small set of molecular adaptations appearing repeatedly in diverse animal lineages, a phe- nomenon that is consistent with models of deterministic evolution. Convergence may also explain what has been called ‘autoresistance’. This is often thought to have evolved for self-protection, but we argue instead that it may be a conse- quence of poisonous animals feeding on toxic prey. Toxin resistance provides a unique and compelling model system for studying the interplay between trophic interactions, selection pressures and the molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary novelties.
AB - Convergence is the phenomenon whereby similar phenotypes evolve independently in different lineages. One example is resistance to toxins in animals. Toxins have evolved many times throughout the tree of life. They disrupt molecular and physiological pathways in target species, thereby incapacitating prey or deterring a predator. In response, molecular resistance has evolved in many species exposed to toxins to counteract their harmful effects. Here, we review current knowledge on the convergence of toxin resistance using examples from a wide range of toxin families. We explore the evolutionary processes and molecular adaptations driving toxin resistance. However, resistance adaptations may carry a fitness cost if they disrupt the normal physiology of the resistant animal. Therefore, there is a trade-off between main- taining a functional molecular target and reducing toxin susceptibility. There are relatively few solutions that satisfy this trade-off. As a result, we see a small set of molecular adaptations appearing repeatedly in diverse animal lineages, a phe- nomenon that is consistent with models of deterministic evolution. Convergence may also explain what has been called ‘autoresistance’. This is often thought to have evolved for self-protection, but we argue instead that it may be a conse- quence of poisonous animals feeding on toxic prey. Toxin resistance provides a unique and compelling model system for studying the interplay between trophic interactions, selection pressures and the molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary novelties.
KW - convergent evolution
KW - toxin resistance
KW - molecular adaptation
KW - functional constraint
KW - deterministic evolution
KW - co-evolutionary arms races
U2 - 10.1111/brv.12865
DO - 10.1111/brv.12865
M3 - Article
VL - 97
SP - 1823
EP - 1843
JO - Biological Reviews
JF - Biological Reviews
SN - 1464-7931
IS - 5
ER -