An evolutionary screen highlights canonical and noncanonical candidate antiviral genes within the primate TRIM gene family.

ABSTRACT: Recurrent viral pressure has acted on host-encoded antiviral genes during primate and mammalian evolution. This selective pressure has resulted in dramatic episodes of adaptation in host antiviral genes, often detected via positive selection. These evolutionary signatures of adaptation have the potential to highlight previously unrecognized antiviral genes (also called restriction factors). Although the TRIM multigene family is recognized for encoding several bona fide restriction factors (e.g., TRIM5alpha), most members of this expansive gene family remain uncharacterized. Here, we investigated the TRIM multigene family for signatures of positive selection to identify novel candidate antiviral genes. Our analysis reveals previously undocumented signatures of positive selection in 17 TRIM

SUBMITTER: Malfavon-Borja R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3845644 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature