High variability and non-neutral evolution of the mammalian avpr1a gene.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The arginine-vasopressin 1a receptor has been identified as a key determinant for social behaviour in Microtus voles, humans and other mammals. Nevertheless, the genetic bases of complex phenotypic traits like differences in social and mating behaviour among species and individuals remain largely unknown. Contrary to previous studies focusing on differences in the promotor region of the gene, we investigate here the level of functional variation in the coding region (exon 1) of this locus.

Results

We detected high sequence diversity between higher mammalian taxa as well as between species of the genus Microtus. This includes length variation and radical amino acid changes, as well as the presence of distinct protein variants within individuals. Additionally, negat

SUBMITTER: Fink S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2121647 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature