Candidate gene molecular markers as tools for analyzing genetic susceptibility to morbillivirus infection in stranded Cetaceans

HLA. 2017 Dec;90(6):343-353. doi: 10.1111/tan.13146. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Abstract

Morbilliviruses, such as Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) or Phocine distemper virus (PDV), represent a growing threat for marine mammals on both hemispheres. Because free-ranging animal populations strongly rely on natural resistance mechanisms, innate immunity-related genes and virus cell entry receptor genes may represent key factors involved in susceptibility to CeMV in Cetaceans. Using the next generation sequencing technology, we have sequenced 11 candidate genes in two model species, Stenella coeruleoalba and Phocoena phocoena. Suitable single nucleotide polymorphism markers of potential functional importance, located in genes coding for basigin (BSG, CD147), the signaling lymphocyte activating molecule (SLAMF1), the poliovirus-related receptor-4 (NECTIN4, PVRL4), toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8), natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (SLC11A1) and natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 1 (NCR1), were identified in each model species, along with MHC-DQB haplotypes unique for each species. This set of molecular markers represents a potentially useful tool for studying host genetic variation and susceptibility to morbillivirus infection in Cetaceans as well as for studying functionally important genetic diversity of selected Cetacean populations.

Keywords: Phocoena phocoena; Stenella coeruleoalba; Cetacea; MHC-DQB; haplotype; immunity; innate; polymorphism; single nucleotide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basigin / genetics
  • Basigin / immunology
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cation Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Cation Transport Proteins / immunology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / immunology
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Morbillivirus / immunology*
  • Morbillivirus / pathogenicity
  • Morbillivirus Infections / genetics*
  • Morbillivirus Infections / immunology
  • Morbillivirus Infections / virology
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1 / genetics
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1 / immunology
  • Phocoena / genetics*
  • Phocoena / immunology
  • Phocoena / virology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1 / genetics
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1 / immunology
  • Stenella / genetics*
  • Stenella / immunology
  • Stenella / virology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3 / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / genetics
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1
  • Toll-Like Receptor 3
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8
  • natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1
  • Basigin
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1