Haemoglobins and erythrocyte sickling in the artiodactyla: A survey

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…This conclusion is consistent with phenomenological differences in sickling dynamics between deer and sheep, including a) the finding that sickling in the latter only occurs when cells are suspended in hypertonic saline and incubated at 37ºC (REF. 11), making it less likely that sickling frequently takes place in vivo under physiological conditions, and b) the observation that the sickling allele is dominant in sheep but recessive in deer19. Importantly, these results also indicate that sickling evolved independently in deer (Cervidae) and their sister clade (Caprinae).…”

“…While sickling in deer is particularly well-documented, the capacity for reversible haemoglobin polymerization has also been observed in a small coterie of other vertebrates10,50, including some species of fish50, mongoose51, and notably also goat and sheep ( Ovis aries )11,52. For most of these species, we have no information on sickling-associated genotypes and allelic diversity.…”

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans7 – when Gulliver8 reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research revealed that sickling is widespread amongst deer species worldwide8–11 (Fig. 1, Supplementary Table 1).…”

“…1, Supplementary Table 1). It is not, however, universal: red blood cells from reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) and European elk ( Alces alces , known as moose in North America) do not sickle; neither do erythrocytes from most North American wapiti ( Cervus canadensis )11,12.…”

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…This conclusion is consistent with phenomenological differences in sickling dynamics between deer and sheep, including a) the finding that sickling in the latter only occurs when cells are suspended in hypertonic saline and incubated at 37ºC (REF. 11), making it less likely that sickling frequently takes place in vivo under physiological conditions, and b) the observation that the sickling allele is dominant in sheep but recessive in deer19. Importantly, these results also indicate that sickling evolved independently in deer (Cervidae) and their sister clade (Caprinae).…”

“…While sickling in deer is particularly well-documented, the capacity for reversible haemoglobin polymerization has also been observed in a small coterie of other vertebrates10,50, including some species of fish50, mongoose51, and notably also goat and sheep ( Ovis aries )11,52. For most of these species, we have no information on sickling-associated genotypes and allelic diversity.…”

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans7 – when Gulliver8 reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research revealed that sickling is widespread amongst deer species worldwide8–11 (Fig. 1, Supplementary Table 1).…”

“…1, Supplementary Table 1). It is not, however, universal: red blood cells from reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) and European elk ( Alces alces , known as moose in North America) do not sickle; neither do erythrocytes from most North American wapiti ( Cervus canadensis )11,12.…”

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans ( 7 ) – when Gulliver ( 8 ) reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research spanning more than a century revealed that sickling, at least as an in vitro phenotype, is widespread amongst deer species worldwide ( 8 - 11 ) (Fig. 1, Table S1).…”

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…This conclusion is consistent with phenomenological differences in sickling dynamics between deer and sheep, including a) the finding that sickling in the latter only occurs when cells are suspended in hypertonic saline and incubated at 37ºC (REF. 11), making it less likely that sickling frequently takes place in vivo under physiological conditions, and b) the observation that the sickling allele is dominant in sheep but recessive in deer19. Importantly, these results also indicate that sickling evolved independently in deer (Cervidae) and their sister clade (Caprinae).…”

“…While sickling in deer is particularly well-documented, the capacity for reversible haemoglobin polymerization has also been observed in a small coterie of other vertebrates10,50, including some species of fish50, mongoose51, and notably also goat and sheep ( Ovis aries )11,52. For most of these species, we have no information on sickling-associated genotypes and allelic diversity.…”

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans7 – when Gulliver8 reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research revealed that sickling is widespread amongst deer species worldwide8–11 (Fig. 1, Supplementary Table 1).…”

“…1, Supplementary Table 1). It is not, however, universal: red blood cells from reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) and European elk ( Alces alces , known as moose in North America) do not sickle; neither do erythrocytes from most North American wapiti ( Cervus canadensis )11,12.…”

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans ( 7 ) – when Gulliver ( 8 ) reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research spanning more than a century revealed that sickling, at least as an in vitro phenotype, is widespread amongst deer species worldwide ( 8 - 11 ) (Fig. 1, Table S1).…”

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…This conclusion is consistent with phenomenological differences in sickling dynamics between deer and sheep, including a) the finding that sickling in the latter only occurs when cells are suspended in hypertonic saline and incubated at 37ºC (REF. 11), making it less likely that sickling frequently takes place in vivo under physiological conditions, and b) the observation that the sickling allele is dominant in sheep but recessive in deer19. Importantly, these results also indicate that sickling evolved independently in deer (Cervidae) and their sister clade (Caprinae).…”

“…While sickling in deer is particularly well-documented, the capacity for reversible haemoglobin polymerization has also been observed in a small coterie of other vertebrates10,50, including some species of fish50, mongoose51, and notably also goat and sheep ( Ovis aries )11,52. For most of these species, we have no information on sickling-associated genotypes and allelic diversity.…”

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans7 – when Gulliver8 reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research revealed that sickling is widespread amongst deer species worldwide8–11 (Fig. 1, Supplementary Table 1).…”

“…1, Supplementary Table 1). It is not, however, universal: red blood cells from reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus ) and European elk ( Alces alces , known as moose in North America) do not sickle; neither do erythrocytes from most North American wapiti ( Cervus canadensis )11,12.…”

The genetic basis and evolution of red blood cell sickling in deer

“…Sickling red blood cells were first described in 1840 – seventy years prior to their discovery in humans ( 7 ) – when Gulliver ( 8 ) reported unusual erythrocyte shapes in blood from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ). Subsequent research spanning more than a century revealed that sickling, at least as an in vitro phenotype, is widespread amongst deer species worldwide ( 8 - 11 ) (Fig. 1, Table S1).…”