Chunyan Hu, Gaoming Liu, Zhan Zhang, Qi Pan, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Weiqiang Liu, Zihao Li, Meng Li, Pingfen Zhu, Ting Ji, Paul A Garber, Xuming Zhou
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The impact of negative selection against deleterious mutations in endangered species remains underexplored. Recent studies have measured mutation load by comparing the accumulation of deleterious mutations, however, this method is most effective when comparing within and between populations of phylogenetically closely related species. Here, we introduced new statistics, LDcor, and its standardized form nLDcor, which allows us to detect and compare global linkage disequilibrium of deleterious mutations across species using unphased genotypes. These statistics measure averaged pairwise standardized covariance and standardize mutation differences based on the standard deviation of alleles to reflect selection intensity. We then examined selection strength in the genomes of seven mammals. Tigers exhibited an over-dispersion of deleterious mutations, while gorillas, giant pandas, and golden snub-nosed monkeys displayed negative linkage disequilibrium. Furthermore, the distribution of deleterious mutations in threatened mammals did not reveal consistent trends. Our results indicate that these newly developed statistics could help us understand the genetic burden of threatened species.
期刊介绍:
EMBO Reports is a scientific journal that specializes in publishing research articles in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental biology. The journal is known for its commitment to publishing high-quality, impactful research that provides novel physiological and functional insights. These insights are expected to be supported by robust evidence, with independent lines of inquiry validating the findings.
The journal's scope includes both long and short-format papers, catering to different types of research contributions. It values studies that:
Communicate major findings: Articles that report significant discoveries or advancements in the understanding of biological processes at the molecular, cellular, and developmental levels.
Confirm important findings: Research that validates or supports existing knowledge in the field, reinforcing the reliability of previous studies.
Refute prominent claims: Studies that challenge or disprove widely accepted ideas or hypotheses in the biosciences, contributing to the correction and evolution of scientific understanding.
Present null data: Papers that report negative results or findings that do not support a particular hypothesis, which are crucial for the scientific process as they help to refine or redirect research efforts.
EMBO Reports is dedicated to maintaining high standards of scientific rigor and integrity, ensuring that the research it publishes contributes meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge in the life sciences. By covering a broad spectrum of topics and encouraging the publication of both positive and negative results, the journal plays a vital role in promoting a comprehensive and balanced view of scientific inquiry.