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Molecular evolution and phylogenetics of rodent malaria parasites.
- Source :
-
BMC evolutionary biology [BMC Evol Biol] 2012 Nov 14; Vol. 12, pp. 219. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Nov 14. - Publication Year :
- 2012
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Abstract
- Background: Over the last 6 decades, rodent Plasmodium species have become key model systems for understanding the basic biology of malaria parasites. Cell and molecular parasitology have made much progress in identifying genes underpinning interactions between malaria parasites, hosts, and vectors. However, little attention has been paid to the evolutionary genetics of parasites, which provides context for identifying potential therapeutic targets and for understanding the selective forces shaping parasites in natural populations. Additionally, understanding the relationships between species, subspecies, and strains, is necessary to maximize the utility of rodent malaria parasites as medically important infectious disease models, and for investigating the evolution of host-parasite interactions.<br />Results: Here, we collected multi-locus sequence data from 58 rodent malaria genotypes distributed throughout 13 subspecies belonging to P. berghei, P. chabaudi, P. vinckei, and P. yoelii. We employ multi-locus methods to infer the subspecies phylogeny, and use population-genetic approaches to elucidate the selective patterns shaping the evolution of these organisms. Our results reveal a time-line for the evolution of rodent Plasmodium and suggest that all the subspecies are independently evolving lineages (i.e. species). We show that estimates of species-level polymorphism are inflated if subspecies are not explicitly recognized, and detect purifying selection at most loci.<br />Conclusions: Our work resolves previous inconsistencies in the phylogeny of rodent malaria parasites, provides estimates of important parameters that relate to the parasite's natural history and provides a much-needed evolutionary context for understanding diverse biological aspects from the cross-reactivity of immune responses to parasite mating patterns.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Bayes Theorem
DNA, Protozoan chemistry
DNA, Protozoan genetics
Genotype
Host-Parasite Interactions
Malaria parasitology
Models, Genetic
Molecular Sequence Data
Plasmodium classification
Plasmodium physiology
Plasmodium berghei classification
Plasmodium berghei genetics
Plasmodium berghei physiology
Plasmodium chabaudi classification
Plasmodium chabaudi genetics
Plasmodium chabaudi physiology
Plasmodium yoelii classification
Plasmodium yoelii genetics
Plasmodium yoelii physiology
Protozoan Proteins classification
Protozoan Proteins genetics
Rodentia parasitology
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Time Factors
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic Variation
Phylogeny
Plasmodium genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2148
- Volume :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC evolutionary biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23151308
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-12-219