Positive Selection on Mammalian Immune Genes-Effects of Gene Function and Selective Constraint.

ABSTRACT: Genome-wide analyses of various taxa have repeatedly shown that immune genes are important targets of positive selection. However, little is known about what factors determine which immune genes are under positive selection. To address this question, we here focus on the mammalian immune system and investigate the importance of gene function and other factors such as gene expression, protein-protein interactions, and overall selective constraint as determinants of positive selection. We compiled a list of >1,100 immune genes that were divided into six functional categories and analyzed using data from rodents. Genes encoding proteins that are in direct interactions with pathogens, such as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), are often expected to be key targets of positive selection. We f

SUBMITTER: Nandakumar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11783303 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature