Pgi: the ongoing saga of a candidate gene

• Novel species being studied and new tools being used to study Pgi.
• Emerging insights into the evolutionary dynamics at Pgi.
• Highlight need for manipulative experiments for causal insights.

Numerous studies have found amino acid variation at the phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) gene associated with organismal performance and fitness. Here we focus upon recent advances in the study of this gene, highlighting novel species being studied, new tools being used, and emerging insights into the evolutionary dynamics acting on this gene. Our synthesis highlights questions that are coming into focus, as well as the need for attention in specific areas, such as manipulative experiments to establish mechanistic insights and a causative role of allelic variation.