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Patterns of molecular evolution of RNAi genes in social and socially parasitic bumblebees.
- Source :
-
Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases [Infect Genet Evol] 2016 Aug; Vol. 42, pp. 53-9. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Apr 23. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- The high frequency of interactions amongst closely related individuals in social insect colonies enhances pathogen transmission. Group-mediated behavior supporting immune defenses tends to decrease selection acting on immune genes. Along with low effective population sizes this might result in relaxed constraint and rapid evolution of immune system genes. Here, we show that antiviral siRNA genes show high rates of molecular evolution with argonaute 2, armitage and maelstrom evolving faster in social bumblebees compared to their socially parasitic cuckoo bumblebees that lack a worker caste. RNAi genes show frequent positive selection at the codon level additionally supported by the occurrence of parallel evolution. Their evolutionary rate is linked to their pathway specific position with genes directly interacting with viruses showing the highest rates of molecular evolution. We suggest that higher pathogen load in social insects indeed drives the molecular evolution of immune genes including antiviral siRNA, if not compensated by behavior.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Argonaute Proteins genetics
Argonaute Proteins immunology
Codon
Female
Insect Proteins immunology
Male
Population Density
RNA Helicases genetics
RNA Helicases immunology
Selection, Genetic
Social Behavior
Wasps classification
Wasps immunology
Wasps virology
Evolution, Molecular
Immunity, Innate
Insect Proteins genetics
Phylogeny
RNA Interference
Wasps genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1567-7257
- Volume :
- 42
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27117935
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2016.04.028