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  • 1. Ala-Poikela, M.
    et al.
    Svensson, E.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Rojas, A.
    Horko, T.
    Paulin, L.
    Valkonen, J.
    Kvarnheden, A.
    Genetic diversity and mixed infections of begomoviruses in tomato, pepper and cucurbit crops in Nicaragua2005In: Plant Pathology, no 54, p. 448-459Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 2.
    Anderung, C
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiolgoi.
    Baubliene, J
    Daugnora, L
    Götherström, A
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Mitochondrial DNA from medieval wisent remains indicates loss of genetic variation in the modern population.2006In: Molecular Ecology, Vol. 15, p. 2083-Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 3.
    Anderung, C
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Hellborg, L
    Seddon, J
    Hanotte, O
    Götherström, A
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Investigation of X- and Y-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in taurine (Bos taurus) and indicine (Bos indicus) cattle2007In: Animal Genetics, ISSN 0268-9146, E-ISSN 1365-2052, Vol. 38, no 6, p. 595-600Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Initially, domesticated African cattle were of taurine type. Today, we find both African Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle, as well as their crossbreeds, on the continent of Africa and they all share the same set of African taurine mitochondrial DNA haplogroups. In this study, we report genetic variation as substitutions and insertions/deletions (indels) on both the X and Y chromosomes, and use the variation to assess hybridization between taurine and indicine cattle. Six African cattle breeds (four Sanga breeds, including Raya Azebu, Danakil, Caprivi, Nguni; and two Zebu breeds, including Kilimanjaro Zebu and South Kavirondo Zebu) were screened for six new X-chromosomal markers, specifically three single nucleotide polymorphisms and three indels in the DDX3X (previously DBX) and ZFX genes, and five previously identified Y-chromosomal markers in the DDX3Y (previously DBY) and ZFY genes. In total, 90 (57 bulls and 33 cows) samples from the African breeds were analysed. We identify five diagnostic haplotypes of indicine and taurine origins on both the X and Y chromosomes. For each breed, the level of indicine introgression varies; in addition to pure taurine, indicine and hybrid X-chromosome individuals, recombinant X-chromosome variants were also detected. These markers are useful molecular tools for assessing the level of indicine admixture in African cattle breeds.

  • 4.
    Anderung, Cecilia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Baubliene, Jurgita
    Daugnora, Linas
    Götherström, Anders
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Medieval remains from Lithuania indicate loss of a mitochondrial haplotype in Bison bonasus.2006In: Mol Ecol, ISSN 0962-1083, Vol. 15, no 10, p. 3083-Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 5.
    Anderung, Cecilia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Persson, P.
    Bouwman, A.
    Elburg, R.
    Götherström, Anders
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Fishing for ancient DNA2008In: Forensic Science International: Genetics, Vol. 2, no 2, p. 104-107Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The major problems concerning ancient DNA studies are related to the amount of extractable DNA and the precautions needed to avoid contamination. From the very first step of the analyses, the DNA extraction, these problems must be confronted. There are several extraction methods available for DNA in ancient tissue; several of them are complicated and time consuming. and none of the methods have reached an acceptance level such that they are routinely used on a widespread basis. Here we investigate the efficiency of two methods. one based on magnetic separation of the targeted molecules. and one based oil silica binding. The efficiency rate of these two on the material studied seems to be identical. The silica binding method has the benefit of relative simplicity, but the magnetic separation technique also hits advantages. For example, it is possible to reuse the extract several times for different loci, and it is possible to concentrate all extracted DNA from one locus into one PCR.

  • 6.
    Anderung, Cecilia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Persson, P
    Carretero, J. M.
    Ortega, A. I.
    Arasuaga, J. L.
    Elburg, R.
    Smith, C.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Götherström, Anders
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Genetics of Iberian Bronze Age cattle remains indicate prehistoric contacts over the Strait of Gibraltar.2005In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, no 102, p. 8431-8435Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 7.
    Arrendal, Johanna
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Animal Ecology.
    Vilà, Carles
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Björklund, Mats
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Animal Ecology.
    Reliability of noninvasive genetic census of otters compared to field censuses2007In: Conservation Genetics, ISSN 1566-0621, E-ISSN 1572-9737, Vol. 8, no 5, p. 1097-1107Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Conservation and management actions are often highly dependent on accurate estimations of population sizes. However, these estimates are difficult to obtain for elusive and rare species. We compared two census methods for Eurasian otter: snow tracking and noninvasive genetic census based on the genotyping of faecal samples. With the noninvasive genetic census we detected the presence of almost twice as many otters as with snow tracking (23 and 10–15, respectively), and mark-recapture estimates based on the genetic census indicated that the real number of otters could be even higher. Our results indicate that snow tracking tends to underestimate the number of individuals and also that it is more susceptible to subjective assessment. We compared the strengths and weaknesses of the two methods.

  • 8. Arrendal, J.S.E.
    et al.
    Walker, C.W.
    Sundqvist, A.-K.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Hellborg, L.C.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Vilà, Carles
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Genetic assessment of a demographically successful translocation program.2004In: Conservation Genetics, no 5, p. 79-88Article in journal (Other scientific)
  • 9. Aspi, J
    et al.
    Roininen, E
    Ruokonen, M
    Kojola, I
    Vila, C
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evoutionary biology.
    Genetic diversity, population structure, effective population size and demographic history of the Finnish wolf population.2006In: Mol Ecol, ISSN 0962-1083, Vol. 15, no 6, p. 1561-76Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Finnish wolf population (Canis lupus) was sampled during three different periods (1996-1998, 1999-2001 and 2002-2004), and 118 individuals were genotyped with 10 microsatellite markers. Large genetic variation was found in the population despite a recent demographic bottleneck. No spatial population subdivision was found even though a significant negative relationship between genetic relatedness and geographic distance suggested isolation by distance. Very few individuals did not belong to the local wolf population as determined by assignment analyses, suggesting a low level of immigration in the population. We used the temporal approach and several statistical methods to estimate the variance effective size of the population. All methods gave similar estimates of effective population size, approximately 40 wolves. These estimates were slightly larger than the estimated census size of breeding individuals. A Bayesian model based on Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations indicated strong evidence for a long-term population decline. These results suggest that the contemporary wolf population size is roughly 8% of its historical size, and that the population decline dates back to late 19th century or early 20th century. Despite an increase of over 50% in the census size of the population during the whole study period, there was only weak evidence that the effective population size during the last period was higher than during the first. This may be caused by increased inbreeding, diminished dispersal within the population, and decreased immigration to the population during the last study period.

  • 10.
    Axelsson, E.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Smith, N.G.C.
    Sundström, H.
    Berlin, S.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ellegren, H.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Male-biased mutation rate and divergence in autosomal, Z-linked and W-linked introns of chicken and turkey.2004In: Molecular Biology and Evolution, no 21, p. 1538-1547Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 11.
    Axelsson, Erik
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Hultin-Rosenberg, Lina
    Brandström, Mikael
    Zwalen, Martin
    Clayton, David F.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Natural selection in protein-coding genes expressed in avian brain2008In: Molecular Ecology, ISSN 0962-1083, E-ISSN 1365-294X, Vol. 17, no 12, p. 3008-3017Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs took place approximately 150 million years ago, and was associated with a number of specific adaptations that are still evident among extant birds, including feathers, song and extravagant secondary sexual characteristics. Knowledge about the molecular evolutionary background to such adaptations is lacking. Here, we analyse the evolution of > 5000 protein-coding gene sequences expressed in zebra finch brain by comparison to orthologous sequences in chicken. Mean d(N)/d(S) is 0.085 and genes with their maximal expression in the eye and central nervous system have the lowest mean d(N)/d(S) value, while those expressed in digestive and reproductive tissues exhibit the highest. We find that fast-evolving genes (those which have higher than expected rate of nonsynonymous substitution, indicative of adaptive evolution) are enriched for biological functions such as fertilization, muscle contraction, defence response, response to stress, wounding and endogenous stimulus, and cell death. After alignment to mammalian orthologues, we identify a catalogue of 228 genes that show a significantly higher rate of protein evolution in the two bird lineages than in mammals. These accelerated bird genes, representing candidates for avian-specific adaptations, include genes implicated in vocal learning and other cognitive processes. Moreover, colouration genes evolve faster in birds than in mammals, which may have been driven by sexual selection for extravagant plumage characteristics.

  • 12.
    Axelsson, Erik
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Webster, Matthew T
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Smith, Nick G C
    Burt, David W
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Comparison of the chicken and turkey genomes reveals a higher rate of nucleotide divergence on microchromosomes than macrochromosomes.2005In: Genome Res, ISSN 1088-9051, Vol. 15, no 1, p. 120-5Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A distinctive feature of the avian genome is the large heterogeneity in the size of chromosomes, which are usually classified into a small number of macrochromosomes and numerous microchromosomes. These chromosome classes show characteristic differences in a number of interrelated features that could potentially affect the rate of sequence evolution, such as GC content, gene density, and recombination rate. We studied the effects of these factors by analyzing patterns of nucleotide substitution in two sets of chicken-turkey sequence alignments. First, in a set of 67 orthologous introns, divergence was significantly higher in microchromosomes (chromosomes 11-38; 11.7% divergence) than in both macrochromosomes (chromosomes 1-5; 9.9% divergence; P = 0.016) and intermediate-sized chromosomes (chromosomes 6-10; 9.5% divergence; P = 0.026). At least part of this difference was due to the higher incidence of CpG sites on microchromosomes. Second, using 155 orthologous coding sequences we noted a similar pattern, in which synonymous substitution rates on microchromosomes (13.1%) were significantly higher than were rates on macrochromosomes (10.3%; P = 0.024). Broadly assuming neutrality of introns and synonymous sites, or constraints on such sequences do not differ between chromosomal classes, these observations imply that microchromosomal genes are exposed to more germ line mutations than those on other chromosomes. We also find that dN/dS ratios for genes located on microchromosomes (average, 0.094) are significantly lower than those of macrochromosomes (average, 0.185; P = 0.025), suggesting that the proteins of genes on microchromosomes are under greater evolutionary constraint.

  • 13.
    Backström, Niclas
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Brandström, Mikael
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Gustafsson, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Animal Ecology.
    Qvarnström, Anna
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Animal Ecology.
    Cheng, Hans
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Genetic mapping in a natural population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis): Conserved synteny but gene order rearrangements on the avian Z chromosome2006In: Genetics, ISSN 0016-6731, E-ISSN 1943-2631, Vol. 174, no 1, p. 377-386Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Data from completely sequenced genomes are likely to open the way for novel studies of the genetics of nonmodel organisms, in particular when it comes to the identification and analysis of genes responsible for traits that are under selection in natural populations. Here we use the draft sequence of the chicken genome as a starting point for linkage mapping in a wild bird species, the collared flycatcher-one of the most well-studied avian species in ecological and evolutionary research. A pedigree of 365 flycatchers was established and genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms in 23 genes selected from (and spread over most of) the chicken Z chromosome. All genes were also found to be located on the Z chromosome in the collared flycatcher, confirming conserved synteny at the level of gene content across distantly related avian lineages. This high degree of conservation mimics the situation seen for the mammalian X chromosome and may thus be a general feature in sex chromosome evolution, irrespective of whether there is male or female heterogamety. Alternatively, such unprecedented chromosomal conservation may be characteristic of most chromosomes in avian genome evolution. However, several internal rearrangements were observed, meaning that the transfer of map information from chicken to nonmodel bird species cannot always assume conserved gene orders. Interestingly, the rate of recombination on the Z chromosome of collared flycatchers was only similar to 50% that of chicken, challenging the widely held view that birds generally have high recombination rates.

  • 14.
    Backström, Niclas
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ceplitis, Helene
    Berlin, Sofia
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Gene conversion drives the evolution of HINTW, an ampliconic gene on the female-specific avian W chromosome.2005In: Mol Biol Evol, ISSN 0737-4038, Vol. 22, no 10, p. 1992-9Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The HINTW gene on the female-specific W chromosome of chicken and other birds is amplified and present in numerous copies. Moreover, as HINTW is distinctly different from its homolog on the Z chromosome (HINTZ), is a candidate gene in avian sex determination, and evolves rapidly under positive selection, it shows several common features to ampliconic and testis-specific genes on the mammalian Y chromosome. A phylogenetic analysis within galliform birds (chicken, turkey, quail, and pheasant) shows that individual HINTW copies within each species are more similar to each other than to gene copies of related species. Such convergent evolution is most easily explained by recurrent events of gene conversion, the rate of which we estimated at 10(-6)-10(-5) per site and generation. A significantly higher GC content of HINTW than of other W-linked genes is consistent with biased gene conversion increasing the fixation probability of mutations involving G and C nucleotides. Furthermore, and as a likely consequence, the neutral substitution rate is almost twice as high in HINTW as in other W-linked genes. The region on W encompassing the HINTW gene cluster is not covered in the initial assembly of the chicken genome, but analysis of raw sequence reads indicates that gene copy number is significantly higher than a previous estimate of 40. While sexual selection is one of several factors that potentially affect the evolution of ampliconic, male-specific genes on the mammalian Y chromosome, data from HINTW provide evidence that gene amplification followed by gene conversion can evolve in female-specific chromosomes in the absence of sexual selection. The presence of multiple and highly similar copies of HINTW may be related to protein function, but, more generally, amplification and conversion offers a means to the avoidance of accumulation of deleterious mutations in nonrecombining chromosomes.

  • 15.
    Backström, Niclas
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Fagerberg, Sofie
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Genomics of natural bird populations: a gene-based set of reference markers evenly spread across the avian genome2008In: Molecular Ecology, ISSN 0962-1083, E-ISSN 1365-294X, Vol. 17, no 4, p. 964-980Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Although there is growing interest to take genomics into the complex realms of natural populations, there is a general shortage of genomic resources and tools available for wild species. This applies not at least to birds, for which genomic approaches should be helpful to questions such as adaptation, speciation and population genetics. In this study, we describe a genome-wide reference set of conserved avian gene markers, broadly applicable across birds. By aligning protein-coding sequences from the recently assembled chicken genome with orthologous sequences in zebra finch, we identified particularly conserved exonic regions flanking introns of suitable size for subsequent amplification and sequencing. Primers were designed for 242 gene markers evenly distributed across the chicken genome, with a mean inter-marker interval of 4.2 Mb. Between 78% and 93% of the markers amplified a specific product in five species tested (chicken, peregrine falcon, collared flycatcher, great reed warbler and blue tit). Two hundred markers were sequenced in collared flycatcher, yielding a total of 122.41 kb of genomic DNA sequence (12096 bp coding sequence and 110 314 bp noncoding). Intron size of collared flycatcher and chicken was highly correlated, as was GC content. A polymorphism screening using these markers in a panel of 10 unrelated collared flycatchers identified 871 single nucleotide polymorphisms (pi = 0.0029) and 33 indels (mainly very short). Avian genome characteristics such as uniform genome size and low rate of syntenic rearrangements suggest that this marker set will find broad utility as a genome-wide reference resource for molecular ecological and population genomic analysis of birds. We envision that it will be particularly useful for obtaining large-scale orthologous targets in different species--important in, for instance, phylogenetics--and for large-scale identification of evenly distributed single nucleotide polymorphisms needed in linkage mapping or in studies of gene flow and hybridization.

  • 16.
    Backström, Niclas
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Forstmeier, Wolfgang
    Schielzeth, Holger
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Mellenius, Harriet
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Nam, Kiwoong
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Bolund, Elisabeth
    Webster, Matthew T.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Öst, Torbjörn
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences.
    Schneider, Melanie
    Kempenaers, Bart
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology.
    The recombination landscape of the zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata genome2010In: Genome Research, ISSN 1088-9051, E-ISSN 1549-5469, Vol. 20, no 4, p. 485-495Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Understanding the causes and consequences of variation in the rate of recombination is essential since this parameter is considered to affect levels of genetic variability, the efficacy of selection, and the design of association and linkage mapping studies. However, there is limited knowledge about the factors governing recombination rate variation. We genotyped 1920 single nucleotide polymorphisms in a multigeneration pedigree of more than 1000 zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) to develop a genetic linkage map, and then we used these map data together with the recently available draft genome sequence of the zebra finch to estimate recombination rates in 1 Mb intervals across the genome. The average zebra finch recombination rate (1.5 cM/Mb) is higher than in humans, but significantly lower than in chicken. The local rates of recombination in chicken and zebra finch were only weakly correlated, demonstrating evolutionary turnover of the recombination landscape in birds. The distribution of recombination events was heavily biased toward ends of chromosomes, with a stronger telomere effect than so far seen in any organism. In fact, the recombination rate was as low as 0.1 cM/Mb in intervals up to 100 Mb long in the middle of the larger chromosomes. We found a positive correlation between recombination rate and GC content, as well as GC-rich sequence motifs. Levels of linkage disequilibrium (LD) were significantly higher in regions of low recombination, showing that heterogeneity in recombination rates have left a footprint on the genomic landscape of LD in zebra finch populations.

  • 17.
    Backström, Niclas
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Karaiskou, Nikoletta
    Leder, Erica H.
    Gustafsson, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Primmer, Craig R.
    Qvarnström, Anna
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Animal ecology.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    A Gene-Based Genetic Linkage Map of the Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) Reveals Extensive Synteny and Gene-Order Conservation During 100 Million Years of Avian Evolution2008In: Genetics, ISSN 0016-6731, E-ISSN 1943-2631, Vol. 179, p. 1479-1495Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    By taking advantage of a recently developed reference markerset for avian genome analysis we have constructed a gene-basedgenetic map of the collared flycatcher, an important "ecologicalmodel" for studies of life-history evolution, sexual selection,speciation, and quantitative genetics. A pedigree of 322 birdsfrom a natural population was genotyped for 384 single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs) from 170 protein-coding genes and 71 microsatellites.Altogether, 147 gene markers and 64 microsatellites form 33linkage groups with a total genetic distance of 1787 cM. Malerecombination rates are, on average, 22% higher than femalerates (total distance 1982 vs. 1627 cM). The ability to anchorthe collared flycatcher map with the chicken genome via thegene-based SNPs revealed an extraordinary degree of both syntenyand gene-order conservation during avian evolution. The greatmajority of chicken chromosomes correspond to a single linkagegroup in collared flycatchers, with only a few cases of inter-and intrachromosomal rearrangements. The rate of chromosomaldiversification, fissions/fusions, and inversions combined isthus considerably lower in birds (0.05/MY) than in mammals (0.6–2.0/MY).A dearth of repeat elements, known to promote chromosomal breakage,in avian genomes may contribute to their stability. The degreeof genome stability is likely to have important consequencesfor general evolutionary patterns and may explain, for example,the comparatively slow rate by which genetic incompatibilityamong lineages of birds evolves.

  • 18.
    Backström, Niclas
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Qvarnström, Anna
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Gustafsson, Lars
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Levels of linkage disequilibrium in a wild bird population2006In: Biology Letters, ISSN 1744-9561, E-ISSN 1744-957X, Vol. 2, no 3, p. 435-438Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Population-based mapping approaches are attractive for tracing the genetic background to phenotypic traits in wild species, given that it is often difficult to gather extensive and well-defined pedigrees needed for quantitative trait locus analysis. However, the feasibility of association or hitch-hiking mapping is dependent on the degree of linkage disequilibrium. (LD) in the population, on which there is yet limited information for wild species. Here we use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from 23 genes in a recently established linkage map of the Z chromosome of the collared flycatcher, to study the extent of LD in a natural bird population. In most but not all cases we find SNPs within the same intron (less than 500 bp) to be in perfect LD. However, LD then decays to background level at a distance 1 cM or 400-500 kb. Although LD seems more extensive than in other species, if the observed pattern is representative for other regions of the genome and turns out to be a general feature of natural bird populations, dense marker maps might be needed for genome scans aimed at identifying association between marker and trait loci.

  • 19.
    Balciuniene, J
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Pathology. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Emilsson, L
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Oreland, L
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Pettersson, U
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Pathology. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Jazin, Elena
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Investigation of the functional effect of monoamine oxidase polymorphisms in human brain2002In: Human Genetics, ISSN 0340-6717, E-ISSN 1432-1203, Vol. 110, no 1, p. 1-7Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 20. Balciuniene, J
    et al.
    Syvänen, A-C
    Uppsala University, Medicinska vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences. Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    McLeod, H L
    Pettersson, U
    Jazin, E E
    Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    The geographic distribution of monoamine oxidase haplotypes supports a bottleneck during the dispersion of modern humans from Africa.2001In: J Mol Evol, ISSN 0022-2844, Vol. 52, no 2, p. 157-63Article in journal (Other scientific)
  • 21. Barnett, Ross
    et al.
    Barnes, Ian
    Phillips, Matthew J
    Martin, Larry D
    Harington, C Richard
    Leonard, Jennifer A
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Cooper, Alan
    Evolution of the extinct Sabretooths and the American cheetah-like cat.2005In: Curr Biol, ISSN 0960-9822, Vol. 15, no 15, p. R589-90Article in journal (Other scientific)
  • 22. Barrio-Amorós, Cesar L.
    et al.
    Castroviejo-Fisher, Santiago
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Comments on the distribution, taxonomy and advertisement call of the Guyanan glass frog Hyalinobatrachium ignioculus (Anura: Centrolenidae)2008In: Salamandra: German Journal of Herpetology, ISSN 0036-3375, Vol. 44, no 4, p. 235-240Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 23. Barrio-Amorós, César L.
    et al.
    Castroviejo-Fisher, Santiago
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    The taxonomic status of Rhaebo anderssoni (Melin, 1941)(Anura:Bufonidae)2008In: Salamandra: German Journal of Herpetology, ISSN 0036-3375, Vol. 44, no 1, p. 59-62Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 24. Bartosch-Härlid, Anna
    et al.
    Berlin, Sofia
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Smith, Nick G.C.
    Moller, Anders P.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Life history and the male mutation bias.2003In: Evolution, ISSN 0014-3820, Vol. 57, no 10, p. 2398-2406Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 25. Belle, Elise M S
    et al.
    Webster, Matthew T
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Eyre-Walker, Adam
    Why are young and old repetitive elements distributed differently in the human genome?2005In: J Mol Evol, ISSN 0022-2844, Vol. 60, no 3, p. 290-6Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Alu elements are not distributed homogeneously throughout the human genome: old elements are preferentially found in the GC-rich parts of the genome, while young Alus are more often found in the GC-poor parts of the genome. The process giving rise to this differential distribution remains poorly understood. Here we investigate whether this pattern could be due to a preferential degradation of Alu elements integrated in GC-poor regions by small indel mutations. We aligned 5.1 Mb of human and chimpanzee sequences and examined whether the rate of insertion and deletion inside Alu elements differed according to the base composition surrounding them. We found that Alu elements are not preferentially degraded in GC-poor regions by indel events. We also looked at whether very young L1 elements show the same change in distribution compared to older ones. This analysis indicated that L1 elements also show a shift in their distribution, although we could not assess it as precisely as for Alu elements. We propose that the differential distribution of Alu elements is likely to be due to a change in their pattern of insertion or their probability of fixation through evolutionary time.

  • 26.
    Berggren Bremdal, Karin
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Evolution of MHC Genes and MHC Gene Expression2010Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Polymorphism in coding regions and regions controlling gene expression is the major determinant of adaptive differences in natural populations. Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) possess a high level of genetic variation, which is maintained by selection over long coalescence times. MHC genes encode antigen-presenting molecules in the adaptive immune system, which protects the host from infectious diseases. However, MHC molecules may also present self-peptides and for most autoimmune diseases there is a genetic factor associated with the MHC.

    MHC genes have been used to learn about the interplay of selection and historical population events. In domestic dogs and their progenitor, the wolf, I explored factors associated with domestication and breed formation and their influence not only on MHC coding regions but also on the haplotypic structure of the class II region. Polymorphism and strong selection was demonstrated in the proximal promoters of MHC genes in dogs and wolves. Hence, genetic variation associated with MHC gene expression may have at least equal importance for a well functioning immune system. Associations between promoter sequences and particular coding alleles suggested allele-specific expression patterns. SNP haplotypes of the MHC class II region revealed ancestral as well as convergent haplotypes, in which combinations of alleles are kept by selection. Interestingly, weaker allelic associations were found between different genes and between coding regions and promoters in dogs compared to wolves. Potentially, this could cause insufficient defense against infections and predispose dogs to autoimmune diseases. For example, I identified a site in the promoter region that showed a consistent difference between haplotypes conferring susceptibility and protection to diabetes in dogs, which should be investigated further.

    Furthermore, I investigated how selection and demographic changes associated with glacial and inter-glacial periods have affected MHC variation in European hedgehogs and extended the prevailing knowledge concerning their population history.

    List of papers
    1. Understanding the phylogeographic patterns of European hedgehogs, Erinaceus concolor and E. europaeus using the MHC.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Understanding the phylogeographic patterns of European hedgehogs, Erinaceus concolor and E. europaeus using the MHC.
    2005 (English)In: Heredity, ISSN 0018-067X, Vol. 95, no 1, p. 84-90Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    The genome of the European hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor and E. europaeus, shows a strong signal of cycles of restriction to glacial refugia and postglacial expansion. Patterns of expansion, however, differ for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and preliminary analysis of nuclear markers. In this study, we determine phylogeographic patterns in the hedgehog using two loci of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), isolated for the first time in hedgehogs. These genes show long persistence times and high polymorphism in many species because of the actions of balancing selection. Among 84 individuals screened for variation, only two DQA alleles were identified in each species, but 10 DQB alleles were found in E. concolor and six in E. europaeus. A strong effect of demography on patterns of DQB variability is observed, with only weak evidence of balancing selection. While data from mtDNA clearly subdivide both species into monophyletic subgroups, the MHC data delineate only E. concolor into distinct subgroups, supporting the preliminary findings of other nuclear markers. Together with differences in variability, this suggests that the refugia history and/or expansion patterns of E. concolor and E. europaeus differ.

    Keywords
    Animals, DNA; Mitochondrial/*genetics, Europe, Genome, Geography, Hedgehogs/*classification/*genetics, Major Histocompatibility Complex, Movement, Phylogeny, Population Dynamics, Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't, Selection (Genetics)
    National Category
    Genetics
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-76386 (URN)16077505 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2006-03-02 Created: 2006-03-02 Last updated: 2018-02-22
    2. MHC promoter polymorphism in grey wolves and domestic dogs.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>MHC promoter polymorphism in grey wolves and domestic dogs.
    2005 (English)In: Immunogenetics, ISSN 0093-7711, Vol. 57, no 3-4, p. 267-72Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    A functional immune system requires a tight control over major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene transcription, as the abnormal MHC expression patterns of severe immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases demonstrate. Although the regulation of MHC expression has been well documented in humans and mice, little is known in other species. In this study, we detail the level of polymorphism in wolf and dog MHC gene promoters. The promoter regions of the DRB, DQA and DQB locus were sequenced in 90 wolves and 90 dogs. The level of polymorphism was high in the DQB promoters, with variation found within functionally relevant regions, including binding sites for transcription factors. Clear associations between DQB promoters and exon 2 alleles were noted in wolves, indicating strong linkage disequilibrium in this region. Low levels of polymorphism were found within the DRB and DQA promoter regions. However, a variable site was identified within the T box, a TNF-alpha response element, of the DQA promoter. Furthermore, we identified a previously unrecognised 18-base-pair deletion within exon 1 of the DQB locus.

    Keywords
    Alleles, Animals, Base Sequence, Comparative Study, DNA/genetics, Dogs/*genetics/*immunology, Exons, Linkage Disequilibrium, Major Histocompatibility Complex, Molecular Sequence Data, Polymorphism; Genetic, Promoter Regions (Genetics), Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't, Sequence Deletion, Sequence Homology; Nucleic Acid, Species Specificity, Variation (Genetics), Wolves/*genetics/*immunology
    National Category
    Genetics
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-76387 (URN)15900498 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2006-03-02 Created: 2006-03-02 Last updated: 2011-01-11
    3. Allelic combinations of promoter and exon 2 in DQB1 in dogs and wolves
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Allelic combinations of promoter and exon 2 in DQB1 in dogs and wolves
    2008 (English)In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, ISSN 0022-2844, E-ISSN 1432-1432, Vol. 67, no 1, p. 76-84Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Polymorphism of PBRs of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is well recognized, but the polymorphism also extends to proximal promoter regions. Examining DQB1 variability in dogs and wolves, we identified 7 promoter variants and 13 exon 2 alleles among 89 dogs, including a previously unknown DQB1 exon 2 allele, and 8 promoter variants and 9 exon 2 alleles among 85 wolves. As expected from previous studies and from a close chromosomal location, strong linkage disequilibrium was demonstrated in both wolves and dogs by having significantly fewer promoter/exon 2 combinations than expected from simulations of randomized data sets. Interestingly, we noticed weaker haplotypic associations in dogs than in wolves. Dogs had twice as many promoter/exon 2 combinations as wolves and an almost 2-fold difference in the number of exon 2 alleles per promoter variant. This difference was not caused by an admixture of breeds in our group of dogs because the high ratio of observed to expected number of haplotypes persisted within a single dog breed, the German Shepherd. Ewens-Watterson tests indicated that both the promoter and exon 2 are under the balancing selection, and both regions appear to be more recently derived in the dog than in the wolf. Hence, although reasons for the differences are unknown, they may relate to altered selection pressure on patterns of expression. Deviations from normal MHC expression patterns have been associated with autoimmune diseases, which occur frequently in several dog breeds. Further knowledge about these deviations may help us understand the source of such diseases.

    Keywords
    dog, DLA, DQB1, MHC, promoter, linkage disequilibrium, wolf
    National Category
    Biological Sciences
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-109175 (URN)10.1007/s00239-008-9126-0 (DOI)000258088000008 ()
    Available from: 2009-10-09 Created: 2009-10-09 Last updated: 2017-12-13Bibliographically approved
    4. Evolutionary history of DLA class II haplotypes in canine diabetes mellitus through single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Evolutionary history of DLA class II haplotypes in canine diabetes mellitus through single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping
    2010 (English)In: Tissue Antigens, ISSN 0001-2815, E-ISSN 1399-0039, Vol. 75, no 3, p. 218-226Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) is a characteristic of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, as well as the genome in general in dogs as a consequence of demographic changes with domestication. Disease association studies of MHC haplotypes may be affected by high LD and the resultant shared genetic backgrounds of haplotypes giving associations with linked but non-causative mutations, and also by convergent haplotypes, in which combinations of alleles have arisen independently. This study provides preliminary tools for dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) class II haplotype analysis with 102 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in 14.6 kb and genotyping of 20 of these SNPs to tag haplotypes in 60 dogs with diabetes mellitus and in 49 non-diabetic dogs. The pattern of LD and analysis of SNP patterns indicated combinations of exon 2 alleles have arisen through both recombination and convergence. For exon 2 haplotypes associated with susceptibility or protection from diabetes mellitus, a region of fixed differences in SNPs across the DQ region was observed, suggesting a region outside exon 2 may be implicated in disease association. Four new DQB1 promoter alleles restricted to diabetic dogs were identified, as well as a substitution difference in the X1 box of the DQB1 promoter that will potentially modify the effect of the protective haplotypes within diabetic dogs

    Keywords
    canine major histocompatibility complex, diabetes mellitus, DLA, haplotypes
    National Category
    Genetics
    Research subject
    Biology with specialization in Evolutionary Genetics
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-122009 (URN)10.1111/j.1399-0039.2009.01426.x (DOI)000274336000004 ()20047645 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2010-04-05 Created: 2010-04-05 Last updated: 2017-12-12Bibliographically approved
    5. Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype patterns of the MHC class II region - a comparison between wolves and dogs.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype patterns of the MHC class II region - a comparison between wolves and dogs.
    (English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
    Keywords
    major histocompatibility complex, MHC, DLA, linkage disequilibrium, haplotype, wolves, dogs
    National Category
    Genetics
    Research subject
    Biology with specialization in Evolutionary Genetics
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-122010 (URN)
    Available from: 2010-04-05 Created: 2010-04-05 Last updated: 2010-04-07
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 27.
    Berggren, Karin
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ellegren, H
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Hewitt, G M
    Seddon, J M
    Understanding the phylogeographic patterns of European hedgehogs, Erinaceus concolor and E. europaeus using the MHC.2005In: Heredity, ISSN 0018-067X, Vol. 95, no 1, p. 84-90Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The genome of the European hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor and E. europaeus, shows a strong signal of cycles of restriction to glacial refugia and postglacial expansion. Patterns of expansion, however, differ for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and preliminary analysis of nuclear markers. In this study, we determine phylogeographic patterns in the hedgehog using two loci of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), isolated for the first time in hedgehogs. These genes show long persistence times and high polymorphism in many species because of the actions of balancing selection. Among 84 individuals screened for variation, only two DQA alleles were identified in each species, but 10 DQB alleles were found in E. concolor and six in E. europaeus. A strong effect of demography on patterns of DQB variability is observed, with only weak evidence of balancing selection. While data from mtDNA clearly subdivide both species into monophyletic subgroups, the MHC data delineate only E. concolor into distinct subgroups, supporting the preliminary findings of other nuclear markers. Together with differences in variability, this suggests that the refugia history and/or expansion patterns of E. concolor and E. europaeus differ.

  • 28.
    Berggren, Karin
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Hewitt, G. M.
    Seddon, J. M.
    Demographic effects have been more important than selection in shaping patterns of variation at MHC genes in European hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus and Erinaceus concolor.2005In: Heredity, no 85, p. 84-90Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 29.
    Berggren, Karin
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Seddon, Jennifer
    University of Queensland.
    Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype patterns of the MHC class II region - a comparison between wolves and dogs.Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 30.
    Berggren, Karin T.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Seddon, Jennifer M.
    Allelic combinations of promoter and exon 2 in DQB1 in dogs and wolves2008In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, ISSN 0022-2844, E-ISSN 1432-1432, Vol. 67, no 1, p. 76-84Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Polymorphism of PBRs of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes is well recognized, but the polymorphism also extends to proximal promoter regions. Examining DQB1 variability in dogs and wolves, we identified 7 promoter variants and 13 exon 2 alleles among 89 dogs, including a previously unknown DQB1 exon 2 allele, and 8 promoter variants and 9 exon 2 alleles among 85 wolves. As expected from previous studies and from a close chromosomal location, strong linkage disequilibrium was demonstrated in both wolves and dogs by having significantly fewer promoter/exon 2 combinations than expected from simulations of randomized data sets. Interestingly, we noticed weaker haplotypic associations in dogs than in wolves. Dogs had twice as many promoter/exon 2 combinations as wolves and an almost 2-fold difference in the number of exon 2 alleles per promoter variant. This difference was not caused by an admixture of breeds in our group of dogs because the high ratio of observed to expected number of haplotypes persisted within a single dog breed, the German Shepherd. Ewens-Watterson tests indicated that both the promoter and exon 2 are under the balancing selection, and both regions appear to be more recently derived in the dog than in the wolf. Hence, although reasons for the differences are unknown, they may relate to altered selection pressure on patterns of expression. Deviations from normal MHC expression patterns have been associated with autoimmune diseases, which occur frequently in several dog breeds. Further knowledge about these deviations may help us understand the source of such diseases.

  • 31.
    Berggren, Karin T
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Seddon, Jennifer M
    MHC promoter polymorphism in grey wolves and domestic dogs.2005In: Immunogenetics, ISSN 0093-7711, Vol. 57, no 3-4, p. 267-72Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A functional immune system requires a tight control over major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene transcription, as the abnormal MHC expression patterns of severe immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases demonstrate. Although the regulation of MHC expression has been well documented in humans and mice, little is known in other species. In this study, we detail the level of polymorphism in wolf and dog MHC gene promoters. The promoter regions of the DRB, DQA and DQB locus were sequenced in 90 wolves and 90 dogs. The level of polymorphism was high in the DQB promoters, with variation found within functionally relevant regions, including binding sites for transcription factors. Clear associations between DQB promoters and exon 2 alleles were noted in wolves, indicating strong linkage disequilibrium in this region. Low levels of polymorphism were found within the DRB and DQA promoter regions. However, a variable site was identified within the T box, a TNF-alpha response element, of the DQA promoter. Furthermore, we identified a previously unrecognised 18-base-pair deletion within exon 1 of the DQB locus.

  • 32.
    Bergström, Rosita
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsområdet, centrumbildningar mm , Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Savary, Katia
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsområdet, centrumbildningar mm , Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
    Morén, Anita
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsområdet, centrumbildningar mm , Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
    Guibert, Sylvain
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Heldin, Carl-Henrik
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsområdet, centrumbildningar mm , Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
    Ohlsson, Rolf
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Moustakas, Aristidis
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Medicinska och farmaceutiska vetenskapsområdet, centrumbildningar mm , Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research.
    Transforming growth factor β promotes complexes between Smad proteins and the CCCTC-binding factor on the H19 imprinting control region chromatin2010In: Journal of Biological Chemistry, ISSN 0021-9258, E-ISSN 1083-351X, Vol. 285, no 26, p. 19727-19737Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Whether signal transduction pathways regulate epigenetic states in response to environmental cues remains poorly understood. We demonstrate here that Smad3, signaling downstream of transforming growth factor beta, interacts with the zinc finger domain of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), a nuclear protein known to act as "the master weaver of the genome." This interaction occurs via the Mad homology 1 domain of Smad3. Although Smad2 and Smad4 fail to interact, an alternatively spliced form of Smad2 lacking exon 3 interacts with CTCF. CTCF does not perturb well established transforming growth factor beta gene responses. However, Smads and CTCF co-localize to the H19 imprinting control region (ICR), which emerges as an insulator in cis and regulator of transcription and replication in trans via direct CTCF binding to the ICR. Smad recruitment to the ICR requires intact CTCF binding to this locus. Smad2/3 binding to the ICR requires Smad4, which potentially provides stability to the complex. Because the CTCF-Smad complex is not essential for the chromatin insulator function of the H19 ICR, we propose that it can play a role in chromatin cross-talk organized by the H19 ICR.

  • 33.
    Berlin, S.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ellegren, H.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Chicken W:: A genetically uniform chromosome in a highly variable genome.2004In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, no 101, p. 15967-15969Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 34.
    Berlin, S.
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Smith, N.G.
    Ellegren, H.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Do avian mitochondria recombine?2004In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, no 58, p. 163-167Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 35.
    Berlin, Sofia
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    The Effects of Mutation and Selection on the Rate and Pattern of Molecular Evolution in Birds2004Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    By comparing sequence diversity and divergence on sex chromosomes one can study how the rate of evolution in affected by mutation and/or selection. The rate of mutation in male biased, meaning that relatively more mutations are created in the male germ line than in the female. Since the male mutation bias (αm) most likely is a consequence of the difference in cell divisions between male and female germ lines, life history characters that affect this difference should covary with αm. Indeed, we found a positive correlation between estimates of αm and increased generation times and increased intensity of sperm competition. We have also found that estimates of αm varied significantly between gametologous introns located on the sex chromosomes. This could be a consequence of the variation in substitution rates between loci.

    Population genetics theory predicts that both positive and negative selection reduce genetic diversity around a selected locus at a distance determined by the rate of recombination. Consequently, a non-recombining chromosome, like the female specific W chromosome in birds, selection is expected to have a large impact on sequence diversity. Indeed, in a large sequence screening we found only one segregating site among 7643 base pairs sequenced in 47 chicken females. Furthermore, we also found that deleterious substitutions are fixed in a higher rate for W- than Z-linked sequences, which is in agreement with the lack of recombination and strong genetic drift due to the low effective population size.

    Rarely non-synonymous mutations are beneficial for an individual, but when it happens, the mutation is positively selected and rapidly reaches fixation in a population. We have found that positive selection has been acting on the female reproductive protein, zona pellucida c in birds. This rapid evolution is likely a mechanism to prevent hybridisation.

    List of papers
    1. Life history and the male mutation bias.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Life history and the male mutation bias.
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    2003 (English)In: Evolution, ISSN 0014-3820, Vol. 57, no 10, p. 2398-2406Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-92040 (URN)
    Available from: 2004-09-07 Created: 2004-09-07 Last updated: 2009-03-31Bibliographically approved
    2. Substitution rate heterogeneity and the male mutation bias.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Substitution rate heterogeneity and the male mutation bias.
    Show others...
    (English)Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-92041 (URN)
    Available from: 2004-09-07 Created: 2004-09-07 Last updated: 2010-01-14Bibliographically approved
    3. Accumulation of deleterious mutations on the female specific chromosome in birds.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Accumulation of deleterious mutations on the female specific chromosome in birds.
    (English)Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-92042 (URN)
    Available from: 2004-09-07 Created: 2004-09-07 Last updated: 2010-01-14Bibliographically approved
    4. Chicken W: a genetically uniform chromosome in a highly variable genome.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Chicken W: a genetically uniform chromosome in a highly variable genome.
    (English)Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-92043 (URN)
    Available from: 2004-09-07 Created: 2004-09-07 Last updated: 2010-01-14Bibliographically approved
    5. Adaptive evolution of ZPC, a female reproductive protein in diverse vertebrate species.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Adaptive evolution of ZPC, a female reproductive protein in diverse vertebrate species.
    (English)Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-92044 (URN)
    Available from: 2004-09-07 Created: 2004-09-07 Last updated: 2010-01-14Bibliographically approved
    Download full text (pdf)
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  • 36.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Brandström, Mikael
    Backström, Niclas
    Axelsson, Erik
    Smith, Nick G.C.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Substitution rate heterogeneity and the male mutation bias.Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 37.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Accumulation of deleterious mutations on the female specific chromosome in birds.Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 38.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Chicken W: a genetically uniform chromosome in a highly variable genome.Manuscript (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
  • 39.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics. Uppsala University, Teknisk-naturvetenskapliga vetenskapsområdet, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionsbiologi.
    Fast accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations on the female-specific W chromosome in birds.2006In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, ISSN 0022-2844, Vol. 62, no 1, p. 66-72Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 40.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Qu, Lujiang
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Adaptive Evolution of Gamete-Recognition Proteins in Birds2008In: Journal of Molecular Evolution, ISSN 0022-2844, E-ISSN 1432-1432, Vol. 67, no 5, p. 488-496Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Gamete-recognition proteins have been shown to evolve by positive selection in diverse organism groups, such as marine invertebrates and mammals, although underlying evolutionary mechanisms driving this rapid divergence are poorly understood. However, several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the observed pattern, including different forms of sexual conflict and sperm competition. Because female gametes require more energy to produce than male gametes, female organisms suffer more when fertilisation goes wrong. One process that results in a failed mammalian fertilisation is polyspermy, when > 1 sperm fertilises the egg. However in birds, there is no such sexual conflict because multiple sperm typically bind and fuse with the egg. If sexual conflict driven by polyspermy avoidance is important for the evolution of gamete-recognition proteins in vertebrates, we expect to find positive selection in the genes to be less pronounced in birds. We therefore sequenced six genes (ZP1, ZP2, ZP4, ZPAX, CD9, and Acrosin) encoding gamete-recognition proteins in several bird species to test for positive selection. For comparison, we also analysed ortologous sequences in a set of mammalian species. We found no major differences in the occurrence of adaptive evolution and the strength of selection between bird and mammal orthologs. From this we conclude that polyspermy avoidance does not act as the main underlying evolutionary force shaping the rate of evolution in these genes. We discuss other possible processes that could explain positive selection of gamete-recognition proteins in birds and mammals, such as hybridisation avoidance, cryptic female choice, and postcopulatory sperm competition.

  • 41.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Qu, Lujiang
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Li, Xianyao
    Yang, Ning
    Ellegren, Hans
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Positive diversifying selection in avian Mx genes2008In: Immunogenetics, ISSN 0093-7711, E-ISSN 1432-1211, Vol. 60, no 11, p. 689-697Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Mx proteins are interferon-induced GTPases that confer antiviral activities against RNA viruses. We analysed the molecular evolution of the Mx gene in birds using data on interspecific divergence in anseriform and galliform birds, and on intraspecific diversity in commercial chicken lines, local Chinese chicken breeds as well as in the mallard. The overall ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitution was unusually high, 0.80, indicating relaxed constraint or positive selection. Evidence for the latter was provided by that a total of 11-18 codons were found to have evolved under positive selection. The great majority of these codons are located in a region unique to birds at the N-terminal end of the Mx protein. We found an excess of non-synonymous polymorphisms relative to synonymous variants in all comparisons. This, together with positive Tajima's D values in the local Chinese chicken breeds and in the mallard suggests that balancing selection is acting in avian Mx genes. As such, Mx mimics the major histocompatibility complex system, indicating that heterozygous individuals are better off withstanding pathogen attack.

  • 42.
    Berlin, Sofia
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Evolution, Genomics and Systematics, Evolutionary Biology.
    Quintela, Maria
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    Höglund, Jacob
    Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Population and Conservation Biology.
    A multilocus assay reveals high nucleotide diversity and limited differentiation among Scandinavian willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus)2008In: BMC Genetics, E-ISSN 1471-2156, Vol. 9, p. 89-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: There is so far very little data on autosomal nucleotide diversity in birds, except for data from the domesticated chicken and some passerines species. Estimates of nucleotide diversity reported so far in birds have been high (similar to 10(-3)) and a likely explanation for this is the generally higher effective population sizes compared to mammals. In this study, the level of nucleotide diversity has been examined in the willow grouse, a non-domesticated bird species from the order Galliformes, which also holds the chicken. The willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus) has an almost circumpolar distribution but is absent from G