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Is promiscuity associated with enhanced selection on MHC-DQα in mice (genus Peromyscus)?

Matthew D MacManes1, Eileen A Lacey

  • 1Department of Integrative Biology, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America. macmanes@gmail.com

Plos One
|June 1, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Reproductive behavior influences immune gene evolution. Promiscuous mating in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) correlates with stronger selection on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes compared to monogamous California mice (P. californicus).

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Immunogenetics
  • Behavioral ecology

Background:

  • Reproductive behavior can influence pathogen exposure and thus shape selection on immune genes.
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes are crucial for immune function and exhibit high diversity.
  • Differences in mating systems, such as monogamy versus promiscuity, may lead to varying selective pressures on MHC genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between mating behavior, pathogen exposure, and selection strength on MHC-DQα genes.
  • To compare the evolutionary dynamics of MHC-DQα in two Peromyscus rodent species with contrasting reproductive strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of selection acting on exon 2 of the MHC-DQα locus.
  • Comparison of MHC-DQα genetic diversity patterns in sympatric populations of California mice (P. californicus) and deer mice (P. maniculatus).
  • Utilizing likelihood-based analyses to infer selection pressures.

Main Results:

  • Deer mice (P. maniculatus), characterized by promiscuous mating, exhibit greater bacterial diversity in female reproductive tracts compared to monogamous California mice (P. californicus).
  • Evidence of enhanced diversifying selection on the MHC-DQα locus was found in the promiscuous deer mouse (P. maniculatus).
  • This study provides the first comparative analysis of selection strength on MHC genes in wild sympatric rodents with distinct mating behaviors and pathogen environments.

Conclusions:

  • Mating behavior, specifically promiscuity, is associated with increased exposure to pathogens and consequently, stronger selection on immune genes like MHC-DQα.
  • The findings support the hypothesis that reproductive strategies play a significant role in driving the evolution of immune system genes.
  • Comparative studies of wild populations with differing mating systems offer valuable insights into the interplay between behavior, immunity, and evolutionary adaptation.

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