An excess of nonsynonymous polymorphism and extensive haplotype structure at the PtABI1B locus in European aspen (Populus tremula): a case of balancing selection in an obligately outcrossing plant?

Abstract

Here, we describe an unusually pronounced haplotype structure at the PtAB/1B locus in the obligately outcrossing tree Populus tremula. Both nucleotide diversity and divergence at PtAB/1B was low compared to other P. tremula genes suggesting that the gene is located in a region with a low mutation rate. Despite this, PtAB/1B shows a very marked excess of nonsynonymous polymorphisms across the entire coding region and linkage disequilibrium (LD) extending across the entire PtAB/1B region of approximately 2.6 kb. Such extensive LD is normally not seen in P. tremula. The extensive LD at PtAB/1B is caused by the presence of two distinct haplotypes. The haplotype structure is not caused by a lack of recombination in the region, because evidence of recombination can be detected. In addition, several statistical tests strongly reject neutrality for the PtAB/1B region, suggesting that the unusual haplotype structure could be actively maintained by balancing selection.

Keywords

abscisic acid; balancing selection; dormancy; haplotype structure; Populus tremula

Published in

Heredity
2007, volume: 99, number: 4, pages: 381-388
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

SLU Authors

• Ingvarsson, Pär

  • Umeå University

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics and Genomics

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.hdy.6801012

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/84081