Signatures of balancing selection in toll-like receptor (TLRs) genes - novel insights from a free-living rodent.

ABSTRACT: Selective pressure from pathogens is considered a key selective force driving the evolution of components of the immune system. Since single components of the immune system may interact with many pathogens, and single pathogens may be recognized by multiple components of the immune system, gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms of parasite-driven selection requires the study of multiple genes and pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a large gene family that code for antigen-presenting components of the innate immune response. In the present paper we characterize polymorphism and signatures of selection in seven TLRs in free-living bank voles Myodes glareolus. We report the first evidence of balancing selection in several TLR genes, supported by positive values of Fu and Li's

SUBMITTER: Kloch A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5976762 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature