1
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Hogg CJ. Translating genomic advances into biodiversity conservation. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:362-373. [PMID: 38012268 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00671-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
A key action of the new Global Biodiversity Framework is the maintenance of genetic diversity in all species to safeguard their adaptive potential. To achieve this goal, a translational mindset, which aims to convert results of basic research into direct practical benefits, needs to be applied to biodiversity conservation. Despite much discussion on the value of genomics to conservation, a disconnect between those generating genomic resources and those applying it to biodiversity management remains. As global efforts to generate reference genomes for non-model species increase, investment into practical biodiversity applications is critically important. Applications such as understanding population and multispecies diversity and longitudinal monitoring need support alongside education for policymakers on integrating the data into evidence-based decisions. Without such investment, the opportunity to revolutionize global biodiversity conservation using genomics will not be fully realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life & Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Gallinson DG, Kozakiewicz CP, Rautsaw RM, Beer MA, Ruiz-Aravena M, Comte S, Hamilton DG, Kerlin DH, McCallum HI, Hamede R, Jones ME, Storfer A, McMinds R, Margres MJ. Intergenomic signatures of coevolution between Tasmanian devils and an infectious cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2307780121. [PMID: 38466855 PMCID: PMC10962979 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2307780121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Coevolution is common and frequently governs host-pathogen interaction outcomes. Phenotypes underlying these interactions often manifest as the combined products of the genomes of interacting species, yet traditional quantitative trait mapping approaches ignore these intergenomic interactions. Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), an infectious cancer afflicting Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), has decimated devil populations due to universal host susceptibility and a fatality rate approaching 100%. Here, we used a recently developed joint genome-wide association study (i.e., co-GWAS) approach, 15 y of mark-recapture data, and 960 genomes to identify intergenomic signatures of coevolution between devils and DFTD. Using a traditional GWA approach, we found that both devil and DFTD genomes explained a substantial proportion of variance in how quickly susceptible devils became infected, although genomic architectures differed across devils and DFTD; the devil genome had fewer loci of large effect whereas the DFTD genome had a more polygenic architecture. Using a co-GWA approach, devil-DFTD intergenomic interactions explained ~3× more variation in how quickly susceptible devils became infected than either genome alone, and the top genotype-by-genotype interactions were significantly enriched for cancer genes and signatures of selection. A devil regulatory mutation was associated with differential expression of a candidate cancer gene and showed putative allele matching effects with two DFTD coding sequence variants. Our results highlight the need to account for intergenomic interactions when investigating host-pathogen (co)evolution and emphasize the importance of such interactions when considering devil management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G. Gallinson
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Christopher P. Kozakiewicz
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99163
- W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI49060
| | - Rhett M. Rautsaw
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99163
| | - Marc A. Beer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99163
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY14853
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Orange, NSW2800, Australia
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia
| | - Douglas H. Kerlin
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD4111, Australia
| | - Hamish I. McCallum
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD4111, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia
- CANECEV Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer, Montpellier34394, France
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA99163
| | - Ryan McMinds
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
| | - Mark J. Margres
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL33620
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3
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Raven N, Klaassen M, Madsen T, Jones M, Hamilton DG, Ruiz-Aravena M, Thomas F, Hamede RK, Ujvari B. Complex associations between cancer progression and immune gene expression reveals early influence of transmissible cancer on Tasmanian devils. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1286352. [PMID: 38515744 PMCID: PMC10954821 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1286352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The world's largest extant carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian devil, is challenged by Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a fatal, clonally transmitted cancer. In two decades, DFTD has spread across 95% of the species distributional range. A previous study has shown that factors such as season, geographic location, and infection with DFTD can impact the expression of immune genes in Tasmanian devils. To date, no study has investigated within-individual immune gene expression changes prior to and throughout the course of DFTD infection. To explore possible changes in immune response, we investigated four locations across Tasmania that differed in DFTD exposure history, ranging between 2 and >30 years. Our study demonstrated considerable complexity in the immune responses to DFTD. The same factors (sex, age, season, location and DFTD infection) affected immune gene expression both across and within devils, although seasonal and location specific variations were diminished in DFTD affected devils. We also found that expression of both adaptive and innate immune genes starts to alter early in DFTD infection and continues to change as DFTD progresses. A novel finding was that the lower expression of immune genes MHC-II, NKG2D and CD8 may predict susceptibility to earlier DFTD infection. A case study of a single devil with regressed tumor showed opposite/contrasting immune gene expression patterns compared to the general trends observed across devils with DFTD infection. Our study highlights the complexity of DFTD's interactions with the host immune system and the need for long-term studies to fully understand how DFTD alters the evolutionary trajectory of devil immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nynke Raven
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David G. Hamilton
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- Mississippi State University, Forest & Wildlife Research Center (FWRC)-Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - Frederic Thomas
- CREEC/CANECEV, CREES-MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, VIC, Australia
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4
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Ghildiyal K, Nayak SS, Rajawat D, Sharma A, Chhotaray S, Bhushan B, Dutt T, Panigrahi M. Genomic insights into the conservation of wild and domestic animal diversity: A review. Gene 2023; 886:147719. [PMID: 37597708 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Due to environmental change and anthropogenic activities, global biodiversity has suffered an unprecedented loss, and the world is now heading toward the sixth mass extinction event. This urges the need to step up our efforts to promote the sustainable use of animal genetic resources and plan effective strategies for their conservation. Although habitat preservation and restoration are the primary means of conserving biodiversity, genomic technologies offer a variety of novel tools for identifying biodiversity hotspots and thus, support conservation efforts. Conservation genomics is a broad area of science that encompasses the application of genomic data from thousands or tens of thousands of genome-wide markers to address important conservation biology concerns. Genomic approaches have revolutionized the way we understand and manage animal populations, providing tools to identify and preserve unique genetic variants and alleles responsible for adaptive genetic variation, reducing the deleterious consequences of inbreeding, and increasing the adaptive potential of threatened species. The advancement of genomic technologies, particularly comparative genomic approaches, and the increased accessibility of genomic resources in the form of genome-enabled taxa for non-model organisms, provides a distinct advantage in defining conservation units over traditional genetics approaches. The objective of this review is to provide an exhaustive overview of the concept of conservation genomics, discuss the rationale behind the transition from conservation genetics to genomic approaches, and emphasize the potential applications of genomic techniques for conservation purposes. We also highlight interesting case studies in both livestock and wildlife species where genomic techniques have been used to accomplish conservation goals. Finally, we address some challenges and future perspectives in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanika Ghildiyal
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Sonali Sonejita Nayak
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Divya Rajawat
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Anurodh Sharma
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Supriya Chhotaray
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Triveni Dutt
- Livestock Production and Management Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India
| | - Manjit Panigrahi
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly 243122, UP, India.
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5
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Vinkler M, Fiddaman SR, Těšický M, O'Connor EA, Savage AE, Lenz TL, Smith AL, Kaufman J, Bolnick DI, Davies CS, Dedić N, Flies AS, Samblás MMG, Henschen AE, Novák K, Palomar G, Raven N, Samaké K, Slade J, Veetil NK, Voukali E, Höglund J, Richardson DS, Westerdahl H. Understanding the evolution of immune genes in jawed vertebrates. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:847-873. [PMID: 37255207 PMCID: PMC10247546 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Driven by co-evolution with pathogens, host immunity continuously adapts to optimize defence against pathogens within a given environment. Recent advances in genetics, genomics and transcriptomics have enabled a more detailed investigation into how immunogenetic variation shapes the diversity of immune responses seen across domestic and wild animal species. However, a deeper understanding of the diverse molecular mechanisms that shape immunity within and among species is still needed to gain insight into-and generate evolutionary hypotheses on-the ultimate drivers of immunological differences. Here, we discuss current advances in our understanding of molecular evolution underpinning jawed vertebrate immunity. First, we introduce the immunome concept, a framework for characterizing genes involved in immune defence from a comparative perspective, then we outline how immune genes of interest can be identified. Second, we focus on how different selection modes are observed acting across groups of immune genes and propose hypotheses to explain these differences. We then provide an overview of the approaches used so far to study the evolutionary heterogeneity of immune genes on macro and microevolutionary scales. Finally, we discuss some of the current evidence as to how specific pathogens affect the evolution of different groups of immune genes. This review results from the collective discussion on the current key challenges in evolutionary immunology conducted at the ESEB 2021 Online Satellite Symposium: Molecular evolution of the vertebrate immune system, from the lab to natural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Vinkler
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Martin Těšický
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | | | - Anna E. Savage
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Central FloridaFloridaOrlandoUSA
| | - Tobias L. Lenz
- Research Unit for Evolutionary ImmunogenomicsDepartment of BiologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | | | - Jim Kaufman
- Institute for Immunology and Infection ResearchUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Daniel I. Bolnick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of ConnecticutStorrsConnecticutUSA
| | | | - Neira Dedić
- Department of Botany and ZoologyMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - M. Mercedes Gómez Samblás
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
- Department of ParasitologyUniversity of GranadaGranadaSpain
| | | | - Karel Novák
- Department of Genetics and BreedingInstitute of Animal SciencePragueUhříněvesCzech Republic
| | - Gemma Palomar
- Faculty of BiologyInstitute of Environmental SciencesJagiellonian UniversityKrakówPoland
| | - Nynke Raven
- Department of ScienceEngineering and Build EnvironmentDeakin UniversityVictoriaWaurn PondsAustralia
| | - Kalifa Samaké
- Department of Genetics and MicrobiologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Joel Slade
- Department of BiologyCalifornia State UniversityFresnoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Eleni Voukali
- Department of ZoologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jacob Höglund
- Department of Ecology and GeneticsUppsala UniversitetUppsalaSweden
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6
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Kayigwe AN, M. Darby J, Lyons AB, L. Patchett A, Lisowski L, Liu GS, S. Flies A. A human adenovirus encoding IFN-γ can transduce Tasmanian devil facial tumour cells and upregulate MHC-I. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) has led to a massive decline in the wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population. The disease is caused by two independent devil facial tumours (DFT1 and DFT2). These transmissible cancers have a mortality rate of nearly 100 %. An adenoviral vector-based vaccine has been proposed as a conservation strategy for the Tasmanian devil. This study aimed to determine if a human adenovirus serotype 5 could express functional transgenes in devil cells. As DFT1 cells do not constitutively express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), we developed a replication-deficient adenoviral vector that encodes devil interferon gamma (IFN-γ) fused to a fluorescent protein reporter. Our results show that adenoviral-expressed IFN-γ was able to stimulate upregulation of beta-2 microglobulin, a component of MHC-I, on DFT1, DFT2 and devil fibroblast cell lines. This work suggests that human adenoviruses can serve as a vaccine platform for devils and potentially other marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahab N. Kayigwe
- Department of Science and Laboratory Technology, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology, Bibititi and Morogoro Rd Junction, P. O. Box 2958, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Jocelyn M. Darby
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - A. Bruce Lyons
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Amanda L. Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Military Institute of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Guei-Sheung Liu
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
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7
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Farquharson KA, McLennan EA, Cheng Y, Alexander L, Fox S, Lee AV, Belov K, Hogg CJ. Restoring faith in conservation action: Maintaining wild genetic diversity through the Tasmanian devil insurance program. iScience 2022; 25:104474. [PMID: 35754729 PMCID: PMC9218385 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation breeding programs aim to maintain 90% wild genetic diversity, but rarely assess functional diversity. Here, we compare both genome-wide and functional diversity (in over 500 genes) of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) within the insurance metapopulation and across the species’ range (64,519 km2). Populations have declined by 80% since 1996 due to a contagious cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). However, predicted local extinctions have not occurred. Recent suggestions of selection for “resistance” alleles in the wild precipitated concerns that insurance population devils may be unsuitable for translocations. Using 830 wild samples collected at 31 locations between 2012 and 2021, and 553 insurance metapopulation devils, we show that the insurance metapopulation is representative of current wild genetic diversity. Allele frequencies at DFTD-associated loci were not substantially different between captive and wild devils. Methods presented here are valuable for others investigating evolutionary potential in threatened species, particularly ones under significant selective pressures. Developed target capture to assess functional diversity at over 500 genes Fine-scale structure exists in the genetically depauperate Tasmanian devil Insurance metapopulation is representative of wild genetic diversity Allele frequencies at disease-associated loci were similar in captivity to the wild
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elspeth A McLennan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lauren Alexander
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, NRE Tasmania, Hobart, Tas 7001, Australia.,Toledo Zoo, 2605 Broadway, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
| | - Andrew V Lee
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, NRE Tasmania, Hobart, Tas 7001, Australia.,Toledo Zoo, 2605 Broadway, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, PO BOX 120551, San Diego, CA 92112, USA
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8
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Drawert B, Flies AS, Matthew S, Powell M, Rumsey B. Saving the Devils Is in the Details: Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease Can Be Eliminated with Interventions. LETTERS IN BIOMATHEMATICS 2022; 9:121-140. [PMID: 37655234 PMCID: PMC10470821 DOI: 10.30707/lib9.1.1681913305.269822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Tasmanian Devils facial tumor disease (DFTD) is severely impacting the population of this wild animal. We developed a computational model of the population of Tasmanian Devils, and the change induced by DFTD. We use this model to test possible intervention strategies Tasmanian conservationists could do. We investigate bait drop vaccination programs, diseased animal removals programs, and evolution of natural immunity. We conclude that a combination of intervention strategies gives the most favorable outcome. An additional goal of this paper is reproducibility of our results. Our StochSS software platform features the ability to share and reproduce the computational notebooks that created all of the results in the paper. We endeavor that all readers should be able to reproduce our results with minimum effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Drawert
- National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Andrew S. Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
| | - Sean Matthew
- National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Megan Powell
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
| | - Bryan Rumsey
- National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, NC, USA
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9
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Genetic approaches for increasing fitness in endangered species. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:332-345. [PMID: 35027225 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The global rate of wildlife extinctions is accelerating, and the persistence of many species requires conservation breeding programs. A central paradigm of these programs is to preserve the genetic diversity of the founder populations. However, this may preserve original characteristics that make them vulnerable to extinction. We introduce targeted genetic intervention (TGI) as an alternative approach that promotes traits that enable species to persist in the face of threats by changing the incidence of alleles that impact on fitness. The TGI toolkit includes methods with established efficacy in model organisms and agriculture but are largely untried for conservation, such as synthetic biology and artificial selection. We explore TGI approaches as a species-restoration tool for intractable threats including infectious disease and climate change.
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10
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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Non-Coding RNAs Associated with Transmissible Cancers in Tasmanian Devil, Domestic Dog and Bivalves. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7040072. [PMID: 34842768 PMCID: PMC8628904 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently there are nine known examples of transmissible cancers in nature. They have been observed in domestic dog, Tasmanian devil, and six bivalve species. These tumours can overcome host immune defences and spread to other members of the same species. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are known to play roles in tumorigenesis and immune system evasion. Despite their potential importance in transmissible cancers, there have been no studies on ncRNA function in this context to date. Here, we present possible applications of the CRISPR/Cas system to study the RNA biology of transmissible cancers. Specifically, we explore how ncRNAs may play a role in the immortality and immune evasion ability of these tumours.
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11
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Genomics for conservation: a case study of behavioral genes in the Tasmanian devil. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01354-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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12
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Stahlke AR, Epstein B, Barbosa S, Margres MJ, Patton AH, Hendricks SA, Veillet A, Fraik AK, Schönfeld B, McCallum HI, Hamede R, Jones ME, Storfer A, Hohenlohe PA. Contemporary and historical selection in Tasmanian devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii) support novel, polygenic response to transmissible cancer. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210577. [PMID: 34034517 PMCID: PMC8150010 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) are evolving in response to a unique transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), first described in 1996. Persistence of wild populations and the recent emergence of a second independently evolved transmissible cancer suggest that transmissible cancers may be a recurrent feature in devils. Here, we compared signatures of selection across temporal scales to determine whether genes or gene pathways under contemporary selection (six to eight generations) have also been subject to historical selection (65-85 Myr). First, we used targeted sequencing, RAD-capture, in approximately 2500 devils in six populations to identify genomic regions subject to rapid evolution. We documented genome-wide contemporary evolution, including 186 candidate genes related to cell cycling and immune response. Then we used a molecular evolution approach to identify historical positive selection in devils compared to other marsupials and found evidence of selection in 1773 genes. However, we found limited overlap across time scales, with only 16 shared candidate genes, and no overlap in enriched functional gene sets. Our results are consistent with a novel, multi-locus evolutionary response of devils to DFTD. Our results can inform conservation by identifying high priority targets for genetic monitoring and guiding maintenance of adaptive potential in managed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R. Stahlke
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Brendan Epstein
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Soraia Barbosa
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Mark J. Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | - Austin H. Patton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sarah A. Hendricks
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Anne Veillet
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Alexandra K. Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Barbara Schönfeld
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Hamish I. McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies (IBEST), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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13
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Batley KC, Sandoval-Castillo J, Kemper CM, Zanardo N, Tomo I, Beheregaray LB, Möller LM. Whole genomes reveal multiple candidate genes and pathways involved in the immune response of dolphins to a highly infectious virus. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6434-6448. [PMID: 33675577 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife species are challenged by various infectious diseases that act as important demographic drivers of populations and have become a great conservation concern particularly under growing environmental changes. The new era of whole genome sequencing provides new opportunities and avenues to explore the role of genetic variants in the plasticity of immune responses, particularly in non-model systems. Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) has emerged as a major viral threat to cetacean populations worldwide, contributing to the death of thousands of individuals of multiple dolphin and whale species. To understand the genomic basis of immune responses to CeMV, we generated and analysed whole genomes of 53 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) exposed to Australia's largest known CeMV-related mortality event that killed at least 50 dolphins from three different species. The genomic data set consisted of 10,168,981 SNPs anchored onto 23 chromosome-length scaffolds and 77 short scaffolds. Whole genome analysis indicated that levels of inbreeding in the dolphin population did not influence the outcome of an individual. Allele frequency estimates between survivors and nonsurvivors of the outbreak revealed 15,769 candidate SNPs, of which 689 were annotated to 295 protein coding genes. These included 50 genes with functions related to innate and adaptive immune responses, and cytokine signalling pathways and genes thought to be involved in immune responses to other morbilliviruses. Our study characterised genomic regions and pathways that may contribute to CeMV immune responses in dolphins. This represents a stride towards clarifying the complex interactions of the cetacean immune system and emphasises the value of whole genome data sets in understanding genetic elements that are essential for species conservation, including disease susceptibility and adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley C Batley
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Nikki Zanardo
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ikuko Tomo
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Luciano B Beheregaray
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Luciana M Möller
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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14
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Brandies PA, Wright BR, Hogg CJ, Grueber CE, Belov K. Characterization of reproductive gene diversity in the endangered Tasmanian devil. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 21:721-732. [PMID: 33188658 DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Interindividual variation at genes known to play a role in reproduction may impact reproductive fitness. The Tasmanian devil is an endangered Australian marsupial with low genetic diversity. Recent work has shown concerning declines in productivity in both wild and captive populations over time. Understanding whether functional diversity exists at reproductive genes in the Tasmanian devil is a key first step in identifying genes that may influence productivity. We characterized single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 214 genes involved in reproduction in 37 Tasmanian devils. Twenty genes contained nonsynonymous substitutions, with genes involved in embryogenesis, fertilization and hormonal regulation of reproduction displaying greater numbers of nonsynonymous SNPs than synonymous SNPs. Two genes, ADAMTS9 and NANOG, showed putative signatures of balancing selection indicating that natural selection is maintaining diversity at these genes despite the species exhibiting low overall levels of genetic diversity. We will use this information in future to examine the interplay between reproductive gene variation and reproductive fitness in Tasmanian devil populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parice A Brandies
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Belinda R Wright
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine E Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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15
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Wright BR, Farquharson KA, McLennan EA, Belov K, Hogg CJ, Grueber CE. A demonstration of conservation genomics for threatened species management. Mol Ecol Resour 2020; 20:1526-1541. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Belinda R. Wright
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Katherine A. Farquharson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Elspeth A. McLennan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Carolyn J. Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Catherine E. Grueber
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
- San Diego Zoo Global San Diego CA USA
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16
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Dujon AM, Gatenby RA, Bramwell G, MacDonald N, Dohrmann E, Raven N, Schultz A, Hamede R, Gérard AL, Giraudeau M, Thomas F, Ujvari B. Transmissible Cancers in an Evolutionary Perspective. iScience 2020; 23:101269. [PMID: 32592998 PMCID: PMC7327844 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inter-individual transmission of cancer cells represents an intriguing and unexplored host-pathogen system, with significant ecological and evolutionary ramifications. The pathogen consists of clonal malignant cell lines that spread horizontally as allografts and/or xenografts. Although only nine transmissible cancer lineages in eight host species from both terrestrial and marine environments have been investigated, they exhibit evolutionary dynamics that may provide novel insights into tumor-host interactions particularly in the formation of metastases. Here we present an overview of known transmissible cancers, discuss the necessary and sufficient conditions for cancer transmission, and provide a comprehensive review on the evolutionary dynamics between transmissible cancers and their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M Dujon
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Robert A Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Georgina Bramwell
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Nick MacDonald
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Erin Dohrmann
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Nynke Raven
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Aaron Schultz
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Anne-Lise Gérard
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Waurn Ponds, Vic 3216, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
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17
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Spontaneous Tumor Regression in Tasmanian Devils Associated with RASL11A Activation. Genetics 2020; 215:1143-1152. [PMID: 32554701 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.120.303428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous tumor regression has been documented in a small proportion of human cancer patients, but the specific mechanisms underlying tumor regression without treatment are not well understood. Tasmanian devils are threatened with extinction from a transmissible cancer due to universal susceptibility and a near 100% case fatality rate. In over 10,000 cases, <20 instances of natural tumor regression have been detected. Previous work in this system has focused on Tasmanian devil genetic variation associated with the regression phenotype. Here, we used comparative and functional genomics to identify tumor genetic variation associated with tumor regression. We show that a single point mutation in the 5' untranslated region of the putative tumor suppressor RASL11A significantly contributes to tumor regression. RASL11A was expressed in regressed tumors but silenced in wild-type, nonregressed tumors, consistent with RASL11A downregulation in human cancers. Induced RASL11A expression significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation in vitro The RAS pathway is frequently altered in human cancers, and RASL11A activation may provide a therapeutic treatment option for Tasmanian devils as well as a general mechanism for tumor inhibition.
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18
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Fraik AK, Margres MJ, Epstein B, Barbosa S, Jones M, Hendricks S, Schönfeld B, Stahlke AR, Veillet A, Hamede R, McCallum H, Lopez-Contreras E, Kallinen SJ, Hohenlohe PA, Kelley JL, Storfer A. Disease swamps molecular signatures of genetic-environmental associations to abiotic factors in Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) populations. Evolution 2020; 74:1392-1408. [PMID: 32445281 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Landscape genomics studies focus on identifying candidate genes under selection via spatial variation in abiotic environmental variables, but rarely by biotic factors (i.e., disease). The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is found only on the environmentally heterogeneous island of Tasmania and is threatened with extinction by a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Devils persist in regions of long-term infection despite epidemiological model predictions of species' extinction, suggesting possible adaptation to DFTD. Here, we test the extent to which spatial variation and genetic diversity are associated with the abiotic environment (i.e., climatic variables, elevation, vegetation cover) and/or DFTD. We employ genetic-environment association analyses using 6886 SNPs from 3287 individuals sampled pre- and post-disease arrival across the devil's geographic range. Pre-disease, we find significant correlations of allele frequencies with environmental variables, including 365 unique loci linked to 71 genes, suggesting local adaptation to abiotic environment. The majority of candidate loci detected pre-DFTD are not detected post-DFTD arrival. Several post-DFTD candidate loci are associated with disease prevalence and were in linkage disequilibrium with genes involved in tumor suppression and immune response. Loss of apparent signal of abiotic local adaptation post-disease suggests swamping by strong selection resulting from the rapid onset of DFTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164
| | - Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164
| | - Brendan Epstein
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164.,Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
| | - Soraia Barbosa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83844
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7004, Australia
| | - Sarah Hendricks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83844
| | - Barbara Schönfeld
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7004, Australia
| | - Amanda R Stahlke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83844
| | - Anne Veillet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83844
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7004, Australia
| | - Hamish McCallum
- School of Environment, Griffith University Nathan, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Elisa Lopez-Contreras
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164
| | - Samantha J Kallinen
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, Idaho, 83844
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164
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19
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Comte S, Carver S, Hamede R, Jones M. Changes in spatial organization following an acute epizootic: Tasmanian devils and their transmissible cancer. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020; 22. [PMID: 34164571 DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies commonly monitor host population density but rarely account for how transmission dynamics might be influenced by changes in spatial and social organization that arise from high mortality altering population demography. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), a novel transmissible cancer, caused almost 100% mortality of its single host, the Tasmanian devil, and a >90% local population decline since its emergence 20 years ago. We compare size and overlap in home ranges in a devil population before and 15 years after disease outbreak. We used location data collected with VHF tracking collars in 2001 and GPS collars in the same area in 2015 and 2016. Density of adult devils, calculated from live trapping data in the same years, show a strong decrease following the disease outbreak. The decline in density was accompanied by a reduction in female home range size, a trend not observed for males. Both spatially explicit population modelling and animal tracking showed a decrease in female home range overlap following the DFTD outbreak. These changes in spatial organisation of the host population have the potential to alter the local transmission dynamic of the tumours. Our results are consistent with the general theory of sex-biased spatial organization mediated by resource availability and highlight the importance of incorporating spatial ecology into epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, 7001, Hobart, Australia.,Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 2800, Orange, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, 7001, Hobart, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, 7001, Hobart, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, 7001, Hobart, Australia
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20
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Patton AH, Margres MJ, Stahlke AR, Hendricks S, Lewallen K, Hamede RK, Ruiz-Aravena M, Ryder O, McCallum HI, Jones ME, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A. Contemporary Demographic Reconstruction Methods Are Robust to Genome Assembly Quality: A Case Study in Tasmanian Devils. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 36:2906-2921. [PMID: 31424552 PMCID: PMC6878949 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reconstructing species’ demographic histories is a central focus of molecular ecology and evolution. Recently, an expanding suite of methods leveraging either the sequentially Markovian coalescent (SMC) or the site-frequency spectrum has been developed to reconstruct population size histories from genomic sequence data. However, few studies have investigated the robustness of these methods to genome assemblies of varying quality. In this study, we first present an improved genome assembly for the Tasmanian devil using the Chicago library method. Compared with the original reference genome, our new assembly reduces the number of scaffolds (from 35,975 to 10,010) and increases the scaffold N90 (from 0.101 to 2.164 Mb). Second, we assess the performance of four contemporary genomic methods for inferring population size history (PSMC, MSMC, SMC++, Stairway Plot), using the two devil genome assemblies as well as simulated, artificially fragmented genomes that approximate the hypothesized demographic history of Tasmanian devils. We demonstrate that each method is robust to assembly quality, producing similar estimates of Ne when simulated genomes were fragmented into up to 5,000 scaffolds. Overall, methods reliant on the SMC are most reliable between ∼300 generations before present (gbp) and 100 kgbp, whereas methods exclusively reliant on the site-frequency spectrum are most reliable between the present and 30 gbp. Our results suggest that when used in concert, genomic methods for reconstructing species’ effective population size histories 1) can be applied to nonmodel organisms without highly contiguous reference genomes, and 2) are capable of detecting independently documented effects of historical geological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin H Patton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
| | - Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA.,Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, MA
| | - Amanda R Stahlke
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Sarah Hendricks
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Kevin Lewallen
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Rodrigo K Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Oliver Ryder
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego, CA
| | | | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
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21
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Flies AS, Flies EJ, Fox S, Gilbert A, Johnson SR, Liu GS, Lyons AB, Patchett AL, Pemberton D, Pye RJ. An oral bait vaccination approach for the Tasmanian devil facial tumor diseases. Expert Rev Vaccines 2020; 19:1-10. [PMID: 31971036 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1711058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is the largest extant carnivorous marsupial. Since 1996, its population has declined by 77% primarily due to a clonal transmissible tumor, known as devil facial tumor (DFT1) disease. In 2014, a second transmissible devil facial tumor (DFT2) was discovered. DFT1 and DFT2 are nearly 100% fatal.Areas covered: We review DFT control approaches and propose a rabies-style oral bait vaccine (OBV) platform for DFTs. This approach has an extensive safety record and was a primary tool in large-scale rabies virus elimination from wild carnivores across diverse landscapes. Like rabies virus, DFTs are transmitted by oral contact, so immunizing the oral cavity and stimulating resident memory cells could be advantageous. Additionally, exposing infected devils that already have tumors to OBVs could serve as an oncolytic virus immunotherapy. The primary challenges may be identifying appropriate DFT-specific antigens and optimization of field delivery methods.Expert opinion: DFT2 is currently found on a peninsula in southern Tasmania, so an OBV that could eliminate DFT2 should be the priority for this vaccine approach. Translation of an OBV approach to control DFTs will be challenging, but the approach is feasible for combatting ongoing and future disease threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Emily J Flies
- School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, DPIPWE, Hobart, Australia.,Toledo Zoo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Amy Gilbert
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Shylo R Johnson
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Guei-Sheung Liu
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Amanda L Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Ruth J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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22
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Abstract
AbstractAlthough there is a plethora of cancer associated-factors that can ultimately culminate in death (cachexia, organ impairment, metastases, opportunistic infections, etc.), the focal element of every terminal malignancy is the failure of our natural defences to control unlimited cell proliferation. The reasons why our defences apparently lack efficiency is a complex question, potentially indicating that, under Darwinian terms, solutions other than preventing cancer progression are also important contributors. In analogy with host-parasite systems, we propose to call this latter option ‘tolerance’ to cancer. Here, we argue that the ubiquity of oncogenic processes among metazoans is at least partially attributable to both the limitations of resistance mechanisms and to the evolution of tolerance to cancer. Deciphering the ecological contexts of alternative responses to the cancer burden is not a semantic question, but rather a focal point in understanding the evolutionary ecology of host-tumour relationships, the evolution of our defences, as well as why and when certain cancers are likely to be detrimental for survival.
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23
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Abstract
Marsupial genomes, which are packaged into large chromosomes, provide a powerful resource for studying the mechanisms of genome evolution. The extensive and valuable body of work on marsupial cytogenetics, combined more recently with genome sequence data, has enabled prediction of the 2n = 14 karyotype ancestral to all marsupial families. The application of both chromosome biology and genome sequencing, or chromosomics, has been a necessary approach for various aspects of mammalian genome evolution, such as understanding sex chromosome evolution and the origin and evolution of transmissible tumors in Tasmanian devils. The next phase of marsupial genome evolution research will employ chromosomics approaches to begin addressing fundamental questions in marsupial genome evolution and chromosome evolution more generally. The answers to these complex questions will impact our understanding across a broad range of fields, including the genetics of speciation, genome adaptation to environmental stressors, and species management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine E Deakin
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2617, Australia;
| | - Rachel J O'Neill
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA;
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24
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Brandies P, Peel E, Hogg CJ, Belov K. The Value of Reference Genomes in the Conservation of Threatened Species. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E846. [PMID: 31717707 PMCID: PMC6895880 DOI: 10.3390/genes10110846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation initiatives are now more crucial than ever-over a million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction over the coming decades. The genetic management of threatened species held in insurance programs is recommended; however, few are taking advantage of the full range of genomic technologies available today. Less than 1% of the 13505 species currently listed as threated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have a published genome. While there has been much discussion in the literature about the importance of genomics for conservation, there are limited examples of how having a reference genome has changed conservation management practice. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), is an endangered Australian marsupial, threatened by an infectious clonal cancer devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). Populations have declined by 80% since the disease was first recorded in 1996. A reference genome for this species was published in 2012 and has been crucial for understanding DFTD and the management of the species in the wild. Here we use the Tasmanian devil as an example of how a reference genome has influenced management actions in the conservation of a species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Katherine Belov
- School of Life & Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (P.B.); (E.P.); (C.J.H.)
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25
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Fraik AK, Quackenbush C, Margres MJ, Comte S, Hamilton DG, Kozakiewicz CP, Jones M, Hamede R, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A, Kelley JL. Transcriptomics of Tasmanian Devil ( Sarcophilus Harrisii) Ear Tissue Reveals Homogeneous Gene Expression Patterns across a Heterogeneous Landscape. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E801. [PMID: 31614864 PMCID: PMC6826840 DOI: 10.3390/genes10100801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In an era of unprecedented global change, exploring patterns of gene expression among wild populations across their geographic range is crucial for characterizing adaptive potential. RNA-sequencing studies have successfully characterized gene expression differences among populations experiencing divergent environmental conditions in a wide variety of taxa. However, few of these studies have identified transcriptomic signatures to multivariate, environmental stimuli among populations in their natural environments. Herein, we aim to identify environmental and sex-driven patterns of gene expression in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), a critically endangered species that occupies a heterogeneous environment. We performed RNA-sequencing on ear tissue biopsies from adult male and female devils from three populations at the extremes of their geographic range. There were no transcriptome-wide patterns of differential gene expression that would be suggestive of significant, environmentally-driven transcriptomic responses. The general lack of transcriptome-wide variation in gene expression levels across the devil's geographic range is consistent with previous studies that documented low levels of genetic variation in the species. However, genes previously implicated in local adaptation to abiotic environment in devils were enriched for differentially expressed genes. Additionally, three modules of co-expressed genes were significantly associated with either population of origin or sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Corey Quackenbush
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Natural Sciences, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
- Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, NSW Department of Primary Industries, 1447 Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
| | | | | | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
| | - Andrew Storfer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA.
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26
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Woods GM, Fox S, Flies AS, Tovar CD, Jones M, Hamede R, Pemberton D, Lyons AB, Bettiol SS. Two Decades of the Impact of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 58:1043-1054. [PMID: 30252058 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil, a marsupial carnivore, has been restricted to the island state of Tasmania since its extinction on the Australian mainland about 3000 years ago. In the past two decades, this species has experienced severe population decline due to the emergence of devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), a transmissible cancer. During these 20 years, scientists have puzzled over the immunological and evolutionary responses by the Tasmanian devil to this transmissible cancer. Targeted strategies in population management and disease control have been developed as well as comparative processes to identify variation in tumor and host genetics. A multi-disciplinary approach with multi-institutional teams has produced considerable advances over the last decade. This has led to a greater understanding of the molecular pathogenesis and genomic classification of this cancer. New and promising developments in the Tasmanian devil's story include evidence that most immunized, and some wild devils, can produce an immune response to DFTD. Furthermore, epidemiology combined with genomic studies suggest a rapid evolution to the disease and that DFTD will become an endemic disease. Since 1998 there have been more than 350 publications, distributed over 37 Web of Science categories. A unique endemic island species has become an international curiosity that is in the spotlight of integrative and comparative biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, DPIPWE, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.,Toledo Zoo, 2605 Broadway, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
| | - Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Cesar D Tovar
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia.,School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Menna Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - David Pemberton
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, DPIPWE, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
| | - Silvana S Bettiol
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7005, Australia
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Batley KC, Sandoval‐Castillo J, Kemper CM, Attard CRM, Zanardo N, Tomo I, Beheregaray LB, Möller LM. Genome-wide association study of an unusual dolphin mortality event reveals candidate genes for susceptibility and resistance to cetacean morbillivirus. Evol Appl 2019; 12:718-732. [PMID: 30976305 PMCID: PMC6439501 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are significant demographic and evolutionary drivers of populations, but studies about the genetic basis of disease resistance and susceptibility are scarce in wildlife populations. Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is a highly contagious disease that is increasing in both geographic distribution and incidence, causing unusual mortality events (UME) and killing tens of thousands of individuals across multiple cetacean species worldwide since the late 1980s. The largest CeMV outbreak in the Southern Hemisphere reported to date occurred in Australia in 2013, where it was a major factor in a UME, killing mainly young Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Using cases (nonsurvivors) and controls (putative survivors) from the most affected population, we carried out a genome-wide association study to identify candidate genes for resistance and susceptibility to CeMV. The genomic data set consisted of 278,147,988 sequence reads and 35,493 high-quality SNPs genotyped across 38 individuals. Association analyses found highly significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies among cases and controls at 65 SNPs, and Random Forests conservatively identified eight as candidates. Annotation of these SNPs identified five candidate genes (MAPK8, FBXW11, INADL, ANK3 and ACOX3) with functions associated with stress, pain and immune responses. Our findings provide the first insights into the genetic basis of host defence to this highly contagious disease, enabling the development of an applied evolutionary framework to monitor CeMV resistance across cetacean species. Biomarkers could now be established to assess potential risk factors associated with these genes in other CeMV-affected cetacean populations and species. These results could also possibly aid in the advancement of vaccines against morbilliviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley C. Batley
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jonathan Sandoval‐Castillo
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Catherine R. M. Attard
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Nikki Zanardo
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Ikuko Tomo
- South Australian MuseumAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Luciano B. Beheregaray
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Luciana M. Möller
- Molecular Ecology Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour, and Evolution Laboratory, College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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28
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Wells K, Hamede RK, Jones ME, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A, McCallum HI. Individual and temporal variation in pathogen load predicts long-term impacts of an emerging infectious disease. Ecology 2019; 100:e02613. [PMID: 30636287 PMCID: PMC6415924 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases increasingly threaten wildlife populations. Most studies focus on managing short-term epidemic properties, such as controlling early outbreaks. Predicting long-term endemic characteristics with limited retrospective data is more challenging. We used individual-based modeling informed by individual variation in pathogen load and transmissibility to predict long-term impacts of a lethal, transmissible cancer on Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) populations. For this, we employed approximate Bayesian computation to identify model scenarios that best matched known epidemiological and demographic system properties derived from 10 yr of data after disease emergence, enabling us to forecast future system dynamics. We show that the dramatic devil population declines observed thus far are likely attributable to transient dynamics (initial dynamics after disease emergence). Only 21% of matching scenarios led to devil extinction within 100 yr following devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) introduction, whereas DFTD faded out in 57% of simulations. In the remaining 22% of simulations, disease and host coexisted for at least 100 yr, usually with long-period oscillations. Our findings show that pathogen extirpation or host-pathogen coexistence are much more likely than the DFTD-induced devil extinction, with crucial management ramifications. Accounting for individual-level disease progression and the long-term outcome of devil-DFTD interactions at the population-level, our findings suggest that immediate management interventions are unlikely to be necessary to ensure the persistence of Tasmanian devil populations. This is because strong population declines of devils after disease emergence do not necessarily translate into long-term population declines at equilibria. Our modeling approach is widely applicable to other host-pathogen systems to predict disease impact beyond transient dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstans Wells
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Wallace Building, Swansea, SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia
| | - Rodrigo K Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 83844, USA
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Hamish I McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, 4111, Australia
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29
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Grueber CE, Fox S, McLennan EA, Gooley RM, Pemberton D, Hogg CJ, Belov K. Complex problems need detailed solutions: Harnessing multiple data types to inform genetic management in the wild. Evol Appl 2019; 12:280-291. [PMID: 30697339 PMCID: PMC6346650 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
For bottlenecked populations of threatened species, supplementation often leads to improved population metrics (genetic rescue), provided that guidelines can be followed to avoid negative outcomes. In cases where no "ideal" source populations exist, or there are other complicating factors such as prevailing disease, the benefit of supplementation becomes uncertain. Bringing multiple data and analysis types together to plan genetic management activities can help. Here, we consider three populations of Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisii, as candidates for genetic rescue. Since 1996, devil populations have been severely impacted by devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), causing significant population decline and fragmentation. Like many threatened species, the key threatening process for devils cannot currently be fully mitigated, so species management requires a multifaceted approach. We examined diversity of 31 putatively neutral and 11 MHC-linked microsatellite loci of three remnant wild devil populations (one sampled at two time-points), alongside computational diversity projections, parameterized by field data from DFTD-present and DFTD-absent sites. Results showed that populations had low diversity, connectivity was poor, and diversity has likely decreased over the last decade. Stochastic simulations projected further diversity losses. For a given population size, the effects of DFTD on population demography (including earlier age at death and increased female productivity) did not impact diversity retention, which was largely driven by final population size. Population sizes ≥500 (depending on the number of founders) were necessary for maintaining diversity in otherwise unmanaged populations, even if DFTD is present. Models indicated that smaller populations could maintain diversity with ongoing immigration. Taken together, our results illustrate how multiple analysis types can be combined to address complex population genetic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Grueber
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- San Diego Zoo GlobalSan DiegoCalifornia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil ProgramDPIPWEHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Toledo ZooToledoOhio
| | - Elspeth A. McLennan
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Rebecca M. Gooley
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - David Pemberton
- Save the Tasmanian Devil ProgramDPIPWEHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Carolyn J. Hogg
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Zoo and Aquarium Association AustralasiaMosmanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental SciencesThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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30
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Hohenlohe PA, McCallum HI, Jones ME, Lawrance MF, Hamede RK, Storfer A. Conserving adaptive potential: lessons from Tasmanian devils and their transmissible cancer. CONSERV GENET 2019; 20:81-87. [PMID: 31551664 PMCID: PMC6759055 DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of adaptive genetic variation has long been a goal of management of natural populations, but only recently have genomic tools allowed identification of specific loci associated with fitness-related traits in species of conservation concern. This raises the possibility of managing for genetic variation directly relevant to specific threats, such as those due to climate change or emerging infectious disease. Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) face the threat of a transmissible cancer, devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), that has decimated wild populations and led to intensive management efforts. Recent discoveries from genomic and modeling studies reveal how natural devil populations are responding to DFTD, and can inform management of both captive and wild devil populations. Notably, recent studies have documented genetic variation for disease-related traits and rapid evolution in response to DFTD, as well as potential mechanisms for disease resistance such as immune response and tumor regression in wild devils. Recent models predict dynamic persistence of devils with or without DFTD under a variety of modeling scenarios, although at much lower population densities than before DFTD emerged, contrary to previous predictions of extinction. As a result, current management that focuses on captive breeding and release for maintaining genome-wide genetic diversity or demographic supplementation of populations could have negative consequences. Translocations of captive devils into wild populations evolving with DFTD can cause outbreeding depression and/or increases in the force of infection and thereby the severity of the epidemic, and we argue that these risks outweigh any benefits of demographic supplementation in wild populations. We also argue that genetic variation at loci associated with DFTD should be monitored in both captive and wild populations, and that as our understanding of DFTD-related genetic variation improves, considering genetic management approaches to target this variation is warranted in developing conservation strategies for Tasmanian devils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83843, USA
| | - Hamish I. McCallum
- Environmental Futures Research Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Matthew F. Lawrance
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Rodrigo K. Hamede
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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31
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Ong CEB, Lyons AB, Woods GM, Flies AS. Inducible IFN-γ Expression for MHC-I Upregulation in Devil Facial Tumor Cells. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3117. [PMID: 30692995 PMCID: PMC6340284 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Tasmanian devil facial tumor (DFT) disease has led to an 80% reduction in the wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population since 1996. The limited genetic diversity of wild devils and the lack of MHC-I expression on DFT cells have been implicated in the lack of immunity against the original DFT clonal cell line (DFT1). Recently, a second transmissible tumor of independent origin (DFT2) was discovered. Surprisingly, DFT2 cells do express MHC-I, but DFT2 cells appear to be on a trajectory for reduced MHC-I expression in vivo. Thus, much of the ongoing vaccine-development efforts and conservation plans have focused on MHC-I. A major limitation in conservation efforts is the lack of species-specific tools to understand Tasmanian devil gene function and immunology. To help fill this gap, we developed an all-in-one Tet-Off vector system to regulate expression of IFN-γ in DFT cells (DFT1.Tet/IFN-γ). IFN-γ can have negative effects on cell proliferation and viability; thus, doxycycline was used to suppress IFN-γ production whilst DFT1.Tet/IFN-γ cells were expanded in cell culture. Induction of IFN-γ following removal of doxycycline led to upregulation of MHC-I but also the inhibitory checkpoint molecule PD-L1. Additionally, DFT1.Tet/IFN-γ cells were capable of stimulating MHC-I upregulation on bystander wild type DFT cells in co-culture assays in vitro. This system represents a major step forward in DFT disease immunotherapy and vaccine development efforts, and ability to understand gene function in devils. Importantly, the techniques are readily transferable for testing gene function in DFT2 cells and other non-traditional species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrissie E B Ong
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Alan Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Andrew S Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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32
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Margres MJ, Ruiz-Aravena M, Hamede R, Jones ME, Lawrance MF, Hendricks SA, Patton A, Davis BW, Ostrander EA, McCallum H, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A. The Genomic Basis of Tumor Regression in Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:3012-3025. [PMID: 30321343 PMCID: PMC6251476 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the genetic basis of disease-related phenotypes, such as cancer susceptibility, is crucial for the advancement of personalized medicine. Although most cancers are somatic in origin, a small number of transmissible cancers have been documented. Two such cancers have emerged in the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) and now threaten the species with extinction. Recently, cases of natural tumor regression in Tasmanian devils infected with the clonally contagious cancer have been detected. We used whole-genome sequencing and FST-based approaches to identify the genetic basis of tumor regression by comparing the genomes of seven individuals that underwent tumor regression with those of three infected individuals that did not. We found three highly differentiated candidate genomic regions containing several genes related to immune response and/or cancer risk, indicating that the genomic basis of tumor regression was polygenic. Within these genomic regions, we identified putative regulatory variation in candidate genes but no nonsynonymous variation, suggesting that natural tumor regression may be driven, at least in part, by differential host expression of key loci. Comparative oncology can provide insight into the genetic basis of cancer risk, tumor development, and the pathogenicity of cancer, particularly due to our limited ability to monitor natural, untreated tumor progression in human patients. Our results support the hypothesis that host immune response is necessary for triggering tumor regression, providing candidate genes that may translate to novel treatments in human and nonhuman cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University
| | - Manuel Ruiz-Aravena
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Sarah A Hendricks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow
| | - Austin Patton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University
| | - Brian W Davis
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station.,Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Elaine A Ostrander
- Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hamish McCallum
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University
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33
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Gothai S, Muniandy K, Gnanaraj C, Ibrahim IAA, Shahzad N, Al-Ghamdi SS, Ayoub N, Veeraraghavan VP, Kumar SS, Esa NM, Arulselvan P. Pharmacological insights into antioxidants against colorectal cancer: A detailed review of the possible mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:1514-1522. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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Kosch TA, Silva CNS, Brannelly LA, Roberts AA, Lau Q, Marantelli G, Berger L, Skerratt LF. Genetic potential for disease resistance in critically endangered amphibians decimated by chytridiomycosis. Anim Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- T. A. Kosch
- One Health Research Group College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - C. N. S. Silva
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - L. A. Brannelly
- One Health Research Group College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA USA
| | - A. A. Roberts
- One Health Research Group College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Q. Lau
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Hayama Japan
| | | | - L. Berger
- One Health Research Group College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - L. F. Skerratt
- One Health Research Group College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
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35
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Margres MJ, Jones ME, Epstein B, Kerlin DH, Comte S, Fox S, Fraik AK, Hendricks SA, Huxtable S, Lachish S, Lazenby B, O'Rourke SM, Stahlke AR, Wiench CG, Hamede R, Schönfeld B, McCallum H, Miller MR, Hohenlohe PA, Storfer A. Large-effect loci affect survival in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) infected with a transmissible cancer. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:4189-4199. [PMID: 30171778 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Identifying the genetic architecture of complex phenotypes is a central goal of modern biology, particularly for disease-related traits. Genome-wide association methods are a classical approach for identifying the genomic basis of variation in disease phenotypes, but such analyses are particularly challenging in natural populations due to sample size difficulties. Extensive mark-recapture data, strong linkage disequilibrium and a lethal transmissible cancer make the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) an ideal model for such an association study. We used a RAD-capture approach to genotype 624 devils at ~16,000 loci and then used association analyses to assess the heritability of three cancer-related phenotypes: infection case-control (where cases were infected devils and controls were devils that were never infected), age of first infection and survival following infection. The SNP array explained much of the phenotypic variance for female survival (>80%) and female case-control (>61%). We found that a few large-effect SNPs explained much of the variance for female survival (~5 SNPs explained >61% of the total variance), whereas more SNPs (~56) of smaller effect explained less of the variance for female case-control (~23% of the total variance). By contrast, these same SNPs did not account for a significant proportion of phenotypic variance in males, suggesting that the genetic bases of these traits and/or selection differ across sexes. Loci involved with cell adhesion and cell-cycle regulation underlay trait variation, suggesting that the devil immune system is rapidly evolving to recognize and potentially suppress cancer growth through these pathways. Overall, our study provided necessary data for genomics-based conservation and management in Tasmanian devils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Brendan Epstein
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Douglas H Kerlin
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sebastien Comte
- School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alexandra K Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
| | - Sarah A Hendricks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Stewart Huxtable
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - Billie Lazenby
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Sean M O'Rourke
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Amanda R Stahlke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Cody G Wiench
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barbara Schönfeld
- School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Hamish McCallum
- School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael R Miller
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
| | - Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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Abstract
"Conservation genomics" encompasses the idea that genome-scale data will improve the capacity of resource managers to protect species. Although genetic approaches have long been used in conservation research, it has only recently become tractable to generate genome-wide data at a scale that is useful for conservation. In this Review, we discuss how genome-scale data can inform species delineation in the face of admixture, facilitate evolution through the identification of adaptive alleles, and enhance evolutionary rescue based on genomic patterns of inbreeding. As genomic approaches become more widely adopted in conservation, we expect that they will have a positive impact on management and policy decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Supple
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
| | - Beth Shapiro
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
- UCSC Genomics Institute, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
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Storfer A, Hohenlohe PA, Margres MJ, Patton A, Fraik AK, Lawrance M, Ricci LE, Stahlke AR, McCallum HI, Jones ME. The devil is in the details: Genomics of transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007098. [PMID: 30071111 PMCID: PMC6084034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Storfer
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Margres
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Austin Patton
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Alexandra K. Fraik
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Matthew Lawrance
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Lauren E. Ricci
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, United States of America
| | - Amanda R. Stahlke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | | | - Menna E. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Grueber C, Fox S, Belov K, Pemberton D, Hogg C. Landscape-level field data reveal broad-scale effects of a fatal, transmissible cancer on population ecology of the Tasmanian devil. Mamm Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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39
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Stammnitz MR, Coorens THH, Gori KC, Hayes D, Fu B, Wang J, Martin-Herranz DE, Alexandrov LB, Baez-Ortega A, Barthorpe S, Beck A, Giordano F, Knowles GW, Kwon YM, Hall G, Price S, Pye RJ, Tubio JMC, Siddle HVT, Sohal SS, Woods GM, McDermott U, Yang F, Garnett MJ, Ning Z, Murchison EP. The Origins and Vulnerabilities of Two Transmissible Cancers in Tasmanian Devils. Cancer Cell 2018; 33:607-619.e15. [PMID: 29634948 PMCID: PMC5896245 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transmissible cancers are clonal lineages that spread through populations via contagious cancer cells. Although rare in nature, two facial tumor clones affect Tasmanian devils. Here we perform comparative genetic and functional characterization of these lineages. The two cancers have similar patterns of mutation and show no evidence of exposure to exogenous mutagens or viruses. Genes encoding PDGF receptors have copy number gains and are present on extrachromosomal double minutes. Drug screening indicates causative roles for receptor tyrosine kinases and sensitivity to inhibitors of DNA repair. Y chromosome loss from a male clone infecting a female host suggests immunoediting. These results imply that Tasmanian devils may have inherent susceptibility to transmissible cancers and present a suite of therapeutic compounds for use in conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian R Stammnitz
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Tim H H Coorens
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Kevin C Gori
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Dane Hayes
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, Prospect, TAS 7250, Australia; School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia
| | - Beiyuan Fu
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jinhong Wang
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Daniel E Martin-Herranz
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Ludmil B Alexandrov
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Adrian Baez-Ortega
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Syd Barthorpe
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Alexandra Beck
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Francesca Giordano
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Graeme W Knowles
- Mount Pleasant Laboratories, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, Prospect, TAS 7250, Australia
| | - Young Mi Kwon
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - George Hall
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Stacey Price
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ruth J Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Jose M C Tubio
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK
| | - Hannah V T Siddle
- Centre for Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Ultan McDermott
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Fengtang Yang
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Mathew J Garnett
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Zemin Ning
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elizabeth P Murchison
- Transmissible Cancer Group, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK.
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40
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Pye R, Patchett A, McLennan E, Thomson R, Carver S, Fox S, Pemberton D, Kreiss A, Baz Morelli A, Silva A, Pearse MJ, Corcoran LM, Belov K, Hogg CJ, Woods GM, Lyons AB. Immunization Strategies Producing a Humoral IgG Immune Response against Devil Facial Tumor Disease in the Majority of Tasmanian Devils Destined for Wild Release. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29515577 PMCID: PMC5826075 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is renowned for its successful evasion of the host immune system. Down regulation of the major histocompatabilty complex class I molecule (MHC-I) on the DFTD cells is a primary mechanism of immune escape. Immunization trials on captive Tasmanian devils have previously demonstrated that an immune response against DFTD can be induced, and that immune-mediated tumor regression can occur. However, these trials were limited by their small sample sizes. Here, we describe the results of two DFTD immunization trials on cohorts of devils prior to their wild release as part of the Tasmanian Government’s Wild Devil Recovery project. 95% of the devils developed anti-DFTD antibody responses. Given the relatively large sample sizes of the trials (N = 19 and N = 33), these responses are likely to reflect those of the general devil population. DFTD cells manipulated to express MHC-I were used as the antigenic basis of the immunizations in both trials. Although the adjuvant composition and number of immunizations differed between trials, similar anti-DFTD antibody levels were obtained. The first trial comprised DFTD cells and the adjuvant combination of ISCOMATRIX™, polyIC, and CpG with up to four immunizations given at monthly intervals. This compared to the second trial whereby two immunizations comprising DFTD cells and the adjuvant combination ISCOMATRIX™, polyICLC (Hiltonol®) and imiquimod were given a month apart, providing a shorter and, therefore, more practical protocol. Both trials incorporated a booster immunization given up to 5 months after the primary course. A key finding was that devils in the second trial responded more quickly and maintained their antibody levels for longer compared to devils in the first trial. The different adjuvant combination incorporating the RNAase resistant polyICLC and imiquimod used in the second trial is likely to be responsible. The seroconversion in the majority of devils in these anti-DFTD immunization trials was remarkable, especially as DFTD is hallmarked by its immune evasion mechanisms. Microsatellite analyzes of MHC revealed that some MHC-I microsatellites correlated to stronger immune responses. These trials signify the first step in the long-term objective of releasing devils with immunity to DFTD into the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Pye
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Amanda Patchett
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Elspeth McLennan
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Russell Thomson
- Centre for Research in Mathematics, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Scott Carver
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Samantha Fox
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David Pemberton
- Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Alexandre Kreiss
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Anabel Silva
- CSL Ltd., Bio21 Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Lynn M Corcoran
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Belov
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gregory M Woods
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - A Bruce Lyons
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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41
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Russell T, Madsen T, Thomas F, Raven N, Hamede R, Ujvari B. Oncogenesis as a Selective Force: Adaptive Evolution in the Face of a Transmissible Cancer. Bioessays 2018; 40. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201700146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tracey Russell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of SydneySydneyNSW2006Australia
| | - Thomas Madsen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoria3218Australia
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CREEC/MIVEGEC, UMR IRD/CNRS/UM 5290911 Avenue Agropolis, BP 6450134394 Montpellier Cedex 5France
| | - Nynke Raven
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoria3218Australia
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoria3218Australia
- School of Natural Sciences University of TasmaniaPrivate Bag 55HobartTasmania7001Australia
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin UniversityWaurn PondsVictoria3218Australia
- School of Natural Sciences University of TasmaniaPrivate Bag 55HobartTasmania7001Australia
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