Immune and sex-biased gene expression in the threatened Mojave desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii.

ABSTRACT: The immune system of ectotherms, particularly non-avian reptiles, remains poorly characterized regarding the genes involved in immune function, and their function in wild populations. We used RNA-Seq to explore the systemic response of Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) gene expression to three levels of Mycoplasma infection to better understand the host response to this bacterial pathogen. We found over an order of magnitude more genes differentially expressed between male and female tortoises (1,037 genes) than differentially expressed among immune groups (40 genes). There were 8 genes differentially expressed among both variables that can be considered sex-biased immune genes in this tortoise. Among experimental immune groups we find enriched GO biological processes for cystein

SUBMITTER: Xu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7449761 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature