The effect of species representation on the detection of positive selection in primate gene data sets

Over evolutionary time, both host- and virus-encoded genes have been continually selected to modify their interactions with one another. This has resulted in the rapid evolution of the specific codons that govern the physical interactions between host and virus proteins. Virologists have discovered...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular biology and evolution 2015-04, Vol.32 (4), p.1091-1096
Main Authors: McBee, Ross M, Rozmiarek, Shea A, Meyerson, Nicholas R, Rowley, Paul A, Sawyer, Sara L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomaterials
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered species
Evolution
Evolution, Molecular
Genes
Host-Pathogen Interactions - genetics
Immunology
Methods
Primates
Primates - genetics
Primates - virology
Selection, Genetic
Viral Proteins - genetics
Viral Proteins - metabolism
Viruses
Viruses - genetics
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Summary:Over evolutionary time, both host- and virus-encoded genes have been continually selected to modify their interactions with one another. This has resulted in the rapid evolution of the specific codons that govern the physical interactions between host and virus proteins. Virologists have discovered that these evolutionary signatures, acquired in nature, can provide a shortcut in the functional dissection of host-virus interactions in the laboratory. However, the use of evolution studies in this way is complicated by the fact that many nonhuman primate species are endangered, and biomaterials are often difficult to acquire. Here, we assess how the species representation in primate gene data sets affects the detection of positive natural selection. Our results demonstrate how targeted primate sequencing projects could greatly enhance research in immunology, virology, and beyond.
ISSN:0737-4038
1537-1719
DOI:10.1093/molbev/msu399