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V genes in primates from whole genome sequencing data.
1Department of Informatics, University of Vigo, 32004, Ourense, Spain, dnolivieri@gmail.com.
Immunogenetics
|February 28, 2015
Summary
Immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) V genes in primates show distinct evolutionary paths. IG V genes evolve via birth/death processes, while TR V genes are shaped by coevolutionary pressures, suggesting species-specific roles.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Immunogenetics
- Comparative genomics
Background:
- The adaptive immune system relies on V genes for antigen recognition.
- Evolutionary processes shaping V gene diversity across species are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary diversification and selection of immunoglobulin (IG) and T cell receptor (TR) V genes in primates.
- To compare evolutionary pathways of IG and TR V genes across 16 primate species.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of amino acid sequences from translated in-frame V exons of IG and TR genes.
- Multi-species comparative genomic analysis of 16 primate species.
Main Results:
- IG V genes exhibit birth/death evolutionary processes, facilitating rapid adaptation.
- TRA and TRB loci contain multiple clades, with species contributing to each.
- IG and TR V genes display divergent evolutionary trajectories: IG via duplications, TR via coevolutionary pressures.
Conclusions:
- Distinct evolutionary mechanisms govern IG and TR V gene evolution in primates.
- Preserved V gene clades suggest essential roles for species viability.
- Evolutionary relationships between TRA and TRB V gene clades warrant further investigation.
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