A1 Journal article (refereed)
Balancing selection maintains polymorphisms at neurogenetic loci in field experiments (2017)

Lonn, E., Koskela, E., Mappes, T., Mökkönen, M., Sims, A., & Watts, P. (2017). Balancing selection maintains polymorphisms at neurogenetic loci in field experiments. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(14), 3690-3695. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1621228114

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lonn, Eija; Koskela, Esa; Mappes, Tapio; Mökkönen, Mikael; Sims, Angela; Watts, Phillip

Journal or series: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

ISSN: 0027-8424

eISSN: 1091-6490

Publication year: 2017

Volume: 114

Issue number: 14

Pages range: 3690-3695

Publisher: National Academy of Sciences

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1621228114

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/53550

Abstract

Most variation in behavior has a genetic basis, but the processes determining the level of diversity at behavioral loci are largely unknown for natural populations. Expression of arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (Avpr1a) and oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) in specific regions of the brain regulates diverse social and reproductive behaviors in mammals, including humans. That these genes have important fitness consequences and that natural populations contain extensive diversity at these loci implies the action of balancing selection. In Myodes glareolus, Avpr1a and Oxtr each contain a polymorphic microsatellite locus located in their 5′ regulatory region (the regulatory region-associated microsatellite, RRAM) that likely regulates gene expression. To test the hypothesis that balancing selection maintains diversity at behavioral loci, we released artificially bred females and males with different RRAM allele lengths into field enclosures that differed in population density. The length of Avpr1a and Oxtr RRAMs was associated with reproductive success, but population density and the sex interacted to determine the optimal genotype. In general, longer Avpr1a RRAMs were more beneficial for males, and shorter RRAMs were more beneficial for females; the opposite was true for Oxtr RRAMs. Moreover, Avpr1a RRAM allele length is correlated with the reproductive success of the sexes during different phases of reproduction; for males, RRAM length correlated with the numbers of newborn offspring, but for females selection was evident on the number of weaned offspring. This report of density-dependence and sexual antagonism acting on loci within the arginine vasopressin–oxytocin pathway explains how genetic diversity at Avpr1a and Oxtr could be maintained in natural populations.

Free keywords: Avpr1a; Myodes glareolus; Oxtr; density-dependent selection; sexual conflict

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2017

JUFO rating: 3