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Yan J, Song C, Liang J, La Y, Lai J, Pan R, Huang Z, Li B, Zhang P. Moderate Genetic Diversity of MHC Genes in an Isolated Small Population of Black-and-White Snub-Nosed Monkeys ( Rhinopithecus bieti). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2276. [PMID: 39123802 PMCID: PMC11310952 DOI: 10.3390/ani14152276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity is an essential indicator that echoes the natural selection and environmental adaptation of a species. Isolated small populations are vulnerable to genetic drift, inbreeding, and limited gene flow; thus, assessing their genetic diversity is critical in conservation. In this study, we studied the genetic diversity of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) using neutral microsatellites and five adaptive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Two DQA1 alleles, two DQB1 alleles, two DRB1 alleles, two DRB5 alleles, and three DPB1 alleles were isolated from a population. The results indicate that neutral microsatellites demonstrate a high degree of heterozygosity and polymorphism, while adaptive MHC genes display a high degree of heterozygosity and moderate polymorphism. The results also show that balancing selection has prominently influenced the MHC diversity of the species during evolution: (1) significant positive selection is identified at several amino acid sites (primarily at and near antigen-binding sites) of the DRB1, DRB5, and DQB1 genes; (2) phylogenetic analyses display the patterns of trans-species evolution for all MHC loci. This study provides valuable genetic diversity insights into black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys, which dwell at the highest altitude and have experienced the harshest environmental selection of all primates globally since the Pleistocene. Such results provide valuable scientific evidence and a reference for making or amending conservation strategies for this endangered primate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibing Yan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Chunmei Song
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Jiaqi Liang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Yanni La
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Jiandong Lai
- Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve Administrative Bureau, Diqing 674500, China;
| | - Ruliang Pan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
- International Center of Biodiversity and Primat Conservation, Dali University, Dali 671003, China
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Zhipang Huang
- Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, China;
| | - Baoguo Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
- Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an 710032, China
- College of Life Science, Yanan University, Yanan 710032, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (J.Y.); (C.S.); (J.L.); (Y.L.); (R.P.)
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2
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Lam DK, Frantz AC, Burke T, Geffen E, Sin SYW. Both selection and drift drive the spatial pattern of adaptive genetic variation in a wild mammal. Evolution 2023; 77:221-238. [PMID: 36626810 DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpac014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been intensively studied for the relative effects of different evolutionary forces in recent decades. Pathogen-mediated balancing selection is generally thought to explain the high polymorphism observed in MHC genes, but it is still unclear to what extent MHC diversity is shaped by selection relative to neutral drift. In this study, we genotyped MHC class II DRB genes and 15 neutral microsatellite loci across 26 geographic populations of European badgers (Meles meles) covering most of their geographic range. By comparing variation of microsatellite and diversity of MHC at different levels, we demonstrate that both balancing selection and drift have shaped the evolution of MHC genes. When only MHC allelic identity was investigated, the spatial pattern of MHC variation was similar to that of microsatellites. By contrast, when functional aspects of the MHC diversity (e.g., immunological supertypes) were considered, balancing selection appears to decrease genetic structuring across populations. Our comprehensive sampling and analytical approach enable us to conclude that the likely mechanisms of selection are heterozygote advantage and/or rare-allele advantage. This study is a clear demonstration of how both balancing selection and genetic drift simultaneously affect the evolution of MHC genes in a widely distributed wild mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Kong Lam
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alain C Frantz
- Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Terry Burke
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Eli Geffen
- School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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3
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Li X, Liu T, Li A, Xiao Y, Sun K, Feng J. Diversifying selection and climatic effects on major histocompatibility complex class
II
gene diversity in the greater horseshoe bat. Evol Appl 2023; 16:688-704. [PMID: 36969140 PMCID: PMC10033860 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous pathogenic stress can shape major histocompatibility complex (MHC) diversity by influencing the functional plasticity of the immune response. Therefore, MHC diversity could reflect environmental stress, demonstrating its importance in uncovering the mechanisms of adaptive genetic variation. In this study, we combined neutral microsatellite loci, an immune-related MHC II-DRB locus, and climatic factors to unravel the mechanisms affecting the diversity and genetic differentiation of MHC genes in the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), a species with a wide geographical distribution that has three distinct genetic lineages in China. First, increased genetic differentiation at the MHC locus among populations compared using microsatellites indicated diversifying selection. Second, the genetic differentiation of MHC and microsatellites were significantly correlated, suggesting that demographic processes exist. However, MHC genetic differentiation was significantly correlated with geographical distance among populations, even after controlling for the neutral markers, suggesting a major effect of selection. Third, although the MHC genetic differentiation was larger than that for microsatellites, there was no significant difference in the genetic differentiation between the two markers among genetic lineages, indicating the effect of balancing selection. Fourth, combined with climatic factors, MHC diversity and supertypes showed significant correlations with temperature and precipitation, but not with the phylogeographic structure of R. ferrumequinum, suggesting an effect of local adaptation driven by climate on MHC diversity. Moreover, the number of MHC supertypes varied between populations and lineages, suggesting regional characteristics and support for local adaptation. Taken together, the results of our study provide insights into the adaptive evolutionary driving forces at different geographic scales in R. ferrumequinum. In addition, climate factors may have played a vital role in driving adaptive evolution in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education Changchun China
| | - Tong Liu
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun China
| | - Aoqiang Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Yanhong Xiao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education Changchun China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun China
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Trujillo AL, Hoffman EA, Becker CG, Savage AE. Spatiotemporal adaptive evolution of an MHC immune gene in a frog-fungus disease system. Heredity (Edinb) 2021; 126:640-655. [PMID: 33510466 PMCID: PMC8115231 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-020-00402-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diversity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is linked to reduced pathogen susceptibility in amphibians, but few studies also examine broad spatial and temporal patterns of MHC and neutral genetic diversity. Here, we characterized range-wide MHC diversity in the Northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens, a species found throughout North America that is experiencing disease-related declines. We used previously sequenced neutral markers (mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites), sequenced an expressed MHC class IIß gene fragment, and measured infection prevalence and intensity of the global fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) across 14 populations. Four populations were sampled across two decades, enabling temporal comparisons of selection and demography. We recovered 37 unique MHC alleles, including 17 that were shared across populations. Phylogenetic and population genetic patterns between MHC and neutral markers were incongruent, and five MHC codon positions associated with peptide binding were under positive selection. MHC heterozygosity, but not neutral marker heterozygosity, was a significant factor explaining spatial patterns of Bd prevalence, whereas only environmental variables predicted Bd intensity. MHC allelic richness (AR) decreased significantly over time but microsatellite-based AR did not, highlighting a loss of functional immunogenetic diversity that may be associated with Bd selective pressures. MHC supertype 4 was significantly associated with an elevated risk of Bd infection, whereas one supertype 2 allele was associated with a nearly significant reduced risk of Bd. Taken together, these results provide evidence that positive selection contributes to MHC class IIß evolution in R. pipiens and suggest that functional MHC differences across populations may contribute to disease adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa L. Trujillo
- grid.170430.10000 0001 2159 2859Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA
| | - Eric A. Hoffman
- grid.170430.10000 0001 2159 2859Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA
| | - C. Guilherme Becker
- grid.411015.00000 0001 0727 7545Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL USA
| | - Anna E. Savage
- grid.170430.10000 0001 2159 2859Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL USA
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Li X, Liu T, Li A, Zhang L, Dai W, Jin L, Sun K, Feng J. Genetic polymorphisms and the independent evolution of major histocompatibility complex class II‐
DRB
in sibling bat species
Rhinolophus episcopus
and
Rhinolophus siamensis. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Tong Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Aoqiang Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Wentao Dai
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology Ministry of Education Changchun China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- College of Life Science Jilin Agricultural University Changchun China
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Talarico L, Babik W, Marta S, Pietrocini V, Mattoccia M. MHC structuring and divergent allele advantage in a urodele amphibian: a hierarchical multi-scale approach. Heredity (Edinb) 2019; 123:593-607. [PMID: 31036951 PMCID: PMC6972932 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-019-0221-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins encoded by extraordinarily polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are involved in the adaptive immune response. Balancing selection is believed to maintain MHC polymorphism in the long term, although neutral processes also play a role in shaping MHC diversity. However, the relative contribution of these processes is poorly understood. Here we characterized MHC class II variation of a low-dispersal, pond-breeding newt (Triturus carnifex) over a restricted, geographically structured area. We aimed to (1) evaluate the contribution of selection and neutral processes to shaping MHC diversity at two geographic scales, and (2) test for signatures of divergent allele advantage (DAA), which is a potentially important mechanism of balancing selection. The dominant role of selection in shaping MHC variation was suggested by the lack of correlation between MHC and neutral (microsatellite) variation. Although most variation occurred within populations for both types of markers, they differed in the extent of structuring at the two spatial scales. MHC structuring was more pronounced at local scales, suggesting the role of local selection, while structuring was not detectable at a larger scale, possibly due to the effect of balancing selection. Microsatellites showed the opposite pattern. As expected under DAA, the observed genotypes combined more sequence diversity than expected under a random association of alleles. Thus, DAA may contribute to maintaining MHC polymorphism, which is ancient, as supported by signatures of historical positive selection and trans-species polymorphism. Our results point to the importance of a multi-scale approach in studying MHC variation, especially in low-dispersal taxa, which are genetically structured at fine spatial scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Talarico
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, Kraków, 30-387, Poland
| | - Silvio Marta
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, University of Milan, Via G. Celoria 26, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Venusta Pietrocini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Marco Mattoccia
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome, 00133, Italy
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Talarico L, Babik W, Marta S, Mattoccia M. Genetic drift shaped MHC IIB diversity of an endangered anuran species within the Italian glacial refugium. J Zool (1987) 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Talarico
- Department of Biology University of Tor Vergata Rome Italy
| | - W. Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University Kraków Poland
| | - S. Marta
- Department of Biology University of Tor Vergata Rome Italy
- Institute of Ecosystem Studies National Research Council Rome Italy
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy University of Milan Milan Italy
| | - M. Mattoccia
- Department of Biology University of Tor Vergata Rome Italy
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8
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Buckley J, Holub EB, Koch MA, Vergeer P, Mable BK. Restriction associated DNA-genotyping at multiple spatial scales in Arabidopsis lyrata reveals signatures of pathogen-mediated selection. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:496. [PMID: 29945543 PMCID: PMC6020377 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-018-4806-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genome scans based on outlier analyses have revolutionized detection of genes involved in adaptive processes, but reports of some forms of selection, such as balancing selection, are still limited. It is unclear whether high throughput genotyping approaches for identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms have sufficient power to detect modes of selection expected to result in reduced genetic differentiation among populations. In this study, we used Arabidopsis lyrata to investigate whether signatures of balancing selection can be detected based on genomic smoothing of Restriction Associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq) data. We compared how different sampling approaches (both within and between subspecies) and different background levels of polymorphism (inbreeding or outcrossing populations) affected the ability to detect genomic regions showing key signatures of balancing selection, specifically elevated polymorphism, reduced differentiation and shifts towards intermediate allele frequencies. We then tested whether candidate genes associated with disease resistance (R-gene analogs) were detected more frequently in these regions compared to other regions of the genome. Results We found that genomic regions showing elevated polymorphism contained a significantly higher density of R-gene analogs predicted to be under pathogen-mediated selection than regions of non-elevated polymorphism, and that many of these also showed evidence for an intermediate site-frequency spectrum based on Tajima’s D. However, we found few genomic regions that showed both elevated polymorphism and reduced FST among populations, despite strong background levels of genetic differentiation among populations. This suggests either insufficient power to detect the reduced population structure predicted for genes under balancing selection using sparsely distributed RAD markers, or that other forms of diversifying selection are more common for the R-gene analogs tested. Conclusions Genome scans based on a small number of individuals sampled from a wide range of populations were sufficient to confirm the relative scarcity of signatures of balancing selection across the genome, but also identified new potential disease resistance candidates within genomic regions showing signatures of balancing selection that would be strong candidates for further sequencing efforts. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4806-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Buckley
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK. .,Adaptation to a Changing Environment, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zürich, CH-8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Eric B Holub
- School of Life Sciences, Warwick Crop Centre, University of Warwick, Wellesbourne, CV35 9EF, UK
| | - Marcus A Koch
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Biodiversity and Plant Systematics, Heidelberg University, D69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philippine Vergeer
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation Group, Wageningen University, P.O.Box 47, 6700, AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara K Mable
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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