Variation at innate immunity Toll-like receptor genes in a bottlenecked population of a New Zealand robin.

ABSTRACT: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are an ancient family of genes encoding transmembrane proteins that bind pathogen-specific molecules and initiate both innate and adaptive aspects of the immune response. Our goal was to determine whether these genes show sufficient genetic diversity in a bottlenecked population to be a useful addition or alternative to the more commonly employed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotyping in a conservation genetics context. We amplified all known avian TLR genes in a severely bottlenecked population of New Zealand's Stewart Island robin (Petroica australis rakiura), for which reduced microsatellite diversity was previously observed. We genotyped 17-24 birds from a reintroduced island population (including the 12 founders) for nine genes, seven of which wer

SUBMITTER: Grueber CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3443209 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature