Next-generation genotyping of hypervariable loci in many individuals of a non-model species: technical and theoretical implications

BMC Genomics

Research Article

Michelle L. Sauther¹  Frank P. Cuozzo²  Gwendolyn J. McGinnis³  Christine M. Drea⁴  Kathleen E. Grogan⁵ 

[1] Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA;Department of Anthropology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA;Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;University Program in Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, USA;University Program in Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA;Emory University, Room 2006 O. Wayne Rollins Research Center, 1510 Clifton Rd NE, 30322, Atlanta, GA, USA;

关键词: 454 Titanium;    Ion Torrent PGM;    Major Histocompatibility Complex;    Ring-tailed Lemur;    Lemur catta;    Bezà Mahafaly;    Madagascar;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12864-016-2503-y

 received in 2015-07-21, accepted in 2016-02-18,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAcross species, diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to disease resistance and population health; however, use of MHC diversity to quantify the genetic health of populations has been hampered by the extreme variation found in MHC genes. Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology generates sufficient data to genotype even the most diverse species, but workflows for distinguishing artifacts from alleles are still under development. We used NGS to evaluate the MHC diversity of over 300 captive and wild ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta: Primates: Mammalia). We modified a published workflow to address errors that arise from deep sequencing individuals and tested for evidence of selection at the most diverse MHC genes.ResultsIn addition to evaluating the accuracy of 454 Titanium and Ion Torrent PGM for genotyping large populations at hypervariable genes, we suggested modifications to improve current methods of allele calling. Using these modifications, we genotyped 302 out of 319 individuals, obtaining an average sequencing depth of over 1000 reads per amplicon. We identified 55 MHC-DRB alleles, 51 of which were previously undescribed, and provide the first sequences of five additional MHC genes: DOA, DOB, DPA, DQA, and DRA. The additional five MHC genes had one or two alleles each with little sequence variation; however, the 55 MHC-DRB alleles showed a high dN/dS ratio and trans-species polymorphism, indicating a history of positive selection. Because each individual possessed 1–7 MHC-DRB alleles, we suggest that ring-tailed lemurs have four, putatively functional, MHC-DRB copies.ConclusionsIn the future, accurate genotyping methods for NGS data will be critical to assessing genetic variation in non-model species. We recommend that future NGS studies increase the proportion of replicated samples, both within and across platforms, particularly for hypervariable genes like the MHC. Quantifying MHC diversity within non-model species is the first step to assessing the relationship of genetic diversity at functional loci to individual fitness and population viability. Owing to MHC-DRB diversity and copy number, ring-tailed lemurs may serve as an ideal model for estimating the interaction between genetic diversity, fitness, and environment, especially regarding endangered species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Grogan et al. 2016