Evolutionary dynamics of gene expression during thermal adaptation in Drosophila subobscura

Global warming poses significant challenges to the persistence of biodiversity, requiring a deeper understanding of thermal adaptation, particularly at the genetic level. Examining gene expression changes offers critical insight into the molecular mechanisms driving adaptation, helping to identify which genes are activated or repressed during the adaptive dynamics. This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of gene expression in Drosophila subobscura populations from different latitudinal origins under progressive warming conditions. By analyzing transcriptomic changes across two generation gaps (after 9 and 23 generations of evolution), we found some complex evolutionary patterns of gene expression, including shifts from up to down-regulation and vice versa, with high latitude populations exhibiting greater variability in adaptive responses than low latitude populations. Such complex dynamics involved enrichment of DNA replication-and DNA repair mechanisms in particular-in both populations, although the timing and direction differed between them. We also found consistent downregulation of the immunity-related Toll-NF-κB pathway in high latitude populations. This study documents the dynamic and shifting nature of gene expression during adaptation to warming environments and highlights the critical role of population history in shaping adaptive strategies. These findings deepen our understanding of the transcriptomic mechanisms driving thermal adaptation and provide a basis for predicting evolutionary responses to climate change. Supplementary Material File (paper_dinamica_g9g23_12ago.pdf) - Download - 871.31 KB Information & Authors Information Version history Peer review timeline Published Genome Biology and Evolution Version of Record24 Mar 2026Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License.

Authors Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 129views 127downloads Citations Download citation Marta Antunes, Marta A Antunes, Marta A Santos, et al. Evolutionary dynamics of gene expression during thermal adaptation in Drosophila subobscura. Authorea. 30 September 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175925345.55318837/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175925345.55318837/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.