Microcephaly genes evolved adaptively throughout the evolution of eutherian mammals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genes associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder microcephaly display a strong signature of adaptive evolution in primates. Comparative data suggest a link between selection on some of these loci and the evolution of primate brain size. Whether or not either positive selection or this phenotypic association are unique to primates is unclear, but recent studies in cetaceans suggest at least two microcephaly genes evolved adaptively in other large brained mammalian clades.

Results

Here we analyse the evolution of seven microcephaly loci, including three recently identified loci, across 33 eutherian mammals. We find extensive evidence for positive selection having acted on the majority of these loci not just in primates but also across non-primate mammals. Furth

SUBMITTER: Montgomery SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4055943 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature