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Divergent Evolutional Mode and Purifying Selection of the
Lili Niu1, KeYu Shi1, Jing-Jing Xie1
1Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
Biomed Research International
|September 14, 2018
Summary
Exploring pig domestication, this study uses SNPs to analyze the porcine KIT gene. Findings reveal distinct European and Asian origins and purifying selection during pig evolution.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Animal Science
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Wild boar expansion and domestic pig development prompt research into pig domestication origins.
- The porcine KIT gene influences various traits, including coat color and blood parameters, particularly white coloration in European breeds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for identifying selection patterns within the porcine KIT gene.
- To elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of inferred haplotypes to understand pig domestication history.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the porcine KIT gene.
- Phylogenetic tree construction to infer haplotype relationships.
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis to support domestication history.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analysis identified four clades: two major (European and Asian origins), and two minor (Iberian and Asian).
- Evidence suggests significant introgression of Asian domestic pigs into Europe during the 18th-19th centuries.
- Both European and Asian domestic pigs show evidence of evolving under purifying selection.
Conclusions:
- Domestic pigs in Europe and Asia possess distinct lineage origins.
- The porcine KIT gene has undergone purifying selection throughout the evolutionary history of domestic pigs.
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