Molecular population genetics of Drosophila immune system genes - PubMed (original) (raw)

Molecular population genetics of Drosophila immune system genes

A G Clark et al. Genetics. 1997 Oct.

Abstract

A striking aspect of many vertebrate immune system is the exceptionally high level of polymorphism they harbor. A convincing case can be made that this polymorphism is driven by the diversity of pathogens that face selective pressures to evade attack by the host immune system. Different organisms accomplish a defense against diverse pathogens through mechanisms that differ widely in their requirements for specific recognition. It has recently been shown that innate defense mechanisms, which use proteins with broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, are common to both primitive and advanced organisms. In this study we characterize DNA sequence variation in six pathogen defense genes of Drosophila melanogaster and D. mauritiana, including Andropin; cecropin genes CecA1, CecA2, CecB, and CecC; and Diptericin. The necessity for protection against diverse pathogens, which themselves may evolve resistance to insect defenses, motivates a population-level analysis. Estimates of variation levels show that the genes are not exceptionally polymorphic, but Andropin and Diptericin have patterns of variation that differ significantly from neutrality. Patterns of interpopulation and interspecific differentiation also reveal differences among the genes in evolutionary forces.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Genetics. 1991 Feb;127(2):345-53 - PubMed
    1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1987 Aug;84(15):5449-53 - PubMed
    1. Cell. 1991 Apr 19;65(2):205-7 - PubMed
    1. Genetics. 1991 Mar;127(3):565-82 - PubMed
    1. Nature. 1991 Jun 20;351(6328):652-4 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources