Detecting the effects of selection at the population level in six bovine immune genes
2008

Effects of Selection in Bovine Immune Genes

Sample size: 39 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Abigail R Freeman, David J Lynn, Caitriona Murray, Daniel G Bradley

Primary Institution: Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Hypothesis

Did six bovine immune genes experience recent adaptive selection at the population level?

Conclusion

The study provides evidence of recent adaptive history in bovine immune genes, indicating a link between intra- and inter-specific signals of selection.

Supporting Evidence

  • Significant coding polymorphism was observed within each of the cell-surface receptors.
  • CD2 shows two divergent haplotypes defined by a series of six derived nonsynonymous substitutions.
  • Three signaling molecules have negligible nonsynonymous variation but show outlying test statistics.

Takeaway

Scientists looked at genes in cows that help them fight diseases and found signs that these genes have changed recently to help them survive better.

Methodology

The researchers re-sequenced exonic, intron, and intergenic regions of six immune genes in cattle from Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Limitations

The study may not account for all demographic histories and selective pressures across different populations.

Participant Demographics

39 individual cattle from 16 different breeds across Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2156-9-62

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