Transcription Factors Drive Opposite Relationships between Gene Age and Tissue Specificity in Male and Female <i>Drosophila</i> Gonads

Abstract Evolutionarily young genes are usually preferentially expressed in the testis across species. Although it is known that older generally more broadly than younger genes, properties shaped this pattern unknown. Older may gain expression other tissues uniformly, or faster certain others. Using Drosophila gene data, we confirmed previous findings disproportionately biased and ovary biased. We found relationship between age stronger any tissue weakest testis. performed ATAC-seq on although of all ages likely to have open promoter chromatin ovary, alone does not explain bias genes. Instead, upstream transcription factor (TF) highly predictive but In TF chromatin, whereas similarly influenced by both chromatin. propose uniquely able express controlled relatively few TFs, with partners peak most ovary. The allows widespread baseline unresponsive regulatory changes, transcriptome responsive trans-regulation has a higher ceiling for expression.