Selective sweeps versus introgression - population genetic dynamics of the murine leukemia virus receptor Xpr1 in wild populations of the house mouse (Mus musculus)

Abstract

BackgroundThe interaction between viruses and their receptors in the host can be expected to lead to an evolutionary arms race resulting in cycles of rapid adaptations. We focus here on the receptor gene Xpr1 (xenotropic and polytropic retrovirus receptor 1) for murine leukemia viruses (MLVs). In a previous screen for selective sweeps in mouse populations we discovered that a population from Germany was almost monomorphic for Xpr1 haplotypes, while a population from France was polymorphic.ResultsHere we analyze Xpr1 sequences and haplotypes from a broad sample of wild mouse populations of two subspecies, M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus, to trace the origins of this distinctive polymorphism pattern. We show that the high polymorphism in the population in France is caused by a relatively recent invasion of a haplotype from a population in Iran, rather than a selective sweep in Germany. The invading haplotype codes for a novel receptor variant, which has itself undergone a recent selective sweep in the Iranian population.ConclusionsOur data support a scenario in which Xpr1 is frequently subject to positive selection, possibly as a response to resistance development against recurrently emerging infectious viruses. During such an infection cycle, receptor variants that may convey viral resistance can be captured from another population and quickly introgress into populations actively dealing with the infectious virus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0528-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The genomic impact of historical hybridization with massive mitochondrial DNA introgression

“…4b and Table 1 ) revealed, in addition to spermatogenesis, enrichment in innate immune response functions. Adaptive introgression of immune-related genes has been inferred, for instance, in humans [ 4 , 95 – 100 ], mosquitoes [ 101 ], the Alpine Ibex [ 102 ], and house mice [ 103 , 104 ]. Viral diseases, such as rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV) and myxomatosis (Myxoma virus) for rabbits, and the European brown hare syndrome (EBHSV) for hares, strongly affect the Iberian populations of lagomorphs.…”

Human-Mediated Introgression of Haplotypes in a Modern Dairy Cattle Breed

“…PROCESSES of adaptive introgression are complex, and their genomic signatures in human and other species have been studied extensively ( Hasenkamp et al 2015 ; Deschamps et al 2016 ; Figueiró et al 2017 ; Jagoda et al 2017 ). Genome analysis has enabled an in-depth assessment of the genomic consequences of different demographic processes including introgression, selection, and their interplay in the modern species ( Deschamps et al 2016 ; Figueiró et al 2017 ).…”

Indigenous house mice dominate small mammal communities in northern Afghan military bases

“…As airlifts to Afghanistan were conducted from both areas (Cologne airport and Leipzig airport), animals from Western Germany and North Western Czech Republic (representing the Central European M. m. musculus population) were selected. The trapping of control animals for astrovirus and herpesvirus investigations at five sites in Germany and one site in the United Kingdom have been reported previously [13,17,18]. As no morphological vouchers could be preserved in this study, some preliminary species identifications were based on the photographic documentation and comparisons with museum specimens.…”

“…No field permit was required as trappings in Afghanistan took place within the boundaries of ISAF property and were conducted by ISAF staff. For astrovirus investigations, additional M. musculus domesticus and M. m. musculus specimens were collected within the network "Rodent-borne pathogens" in 2015 in Westphalia, Germany by a pest controller and from a scientific mouse breeding facility described before [18]. These animals in North Rhine-Westphalia were collected by a cooperation partner as part of its pest control measures.…”