@article{fdi:010042510,
  title = {{T}he molecular evolution of four anti-malarial immune genes in the {A}nopheles gambiae species complex - art. no. 79},
  author = {{P}armakelis, {A}. and {S}lotman, {M}. {A}. and {M}arshall, {J}. {C}. and {A}wono {A}mbene, {P}. {H}. and {A}ntonio {N}kondjio, {C}. and {S}imard, {F}r{\'e}d{\'e}ric and {C}accone, {A}. and {P}owell, {J}. {R}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {I}f the insect innate immune system is to be used as a potential blocking step in transmission of malaria, then it will require targeting one or a few genes with highest relevance and ease of manipulation. {T}he problem is to identify and manipulate those of most importance to malaria infection without the risk of decreasing the mosquito's ability to stave off infections by microbes in general. {M}olecular evolution methodologies and concepts can help identify such genes. {W}ithin the setting of a comparative molecular population genetic and phylogenetic framework, involving six species of the {A}nopheles gambiae complex, we investigated whether a set of four preselected immunity genes (gambicin, {NOS}, {R}el2 and {FBN}9) might have evolved under selection pressure imposed by the malaria parasite. {R}esults: {W}e document varying levels of polymorphism within and divergence between the species, in all four genes. {I}ntrogression and the sharing of ancestral polymorphisms, two processes that have been documented in the past, were verified in this study in all four studied genes. {T}hese processes appear to affect each gene in different ways and to different degrees. {H}owever, there is no evidence of positive selection acting on these genes. {C}onclusion: {C}onsidering the results presented here in concert with previous studies, genes that interact directly with the {P}lasmodium parasite, and play little or no role in defense against other microbes, are probably the most likely candidates for a specific adaptive response against {P}. falciparum. {F}urthermore, since it is hard to establish direct evidence linking the adaptation of any candidate gene to {P}. falciparum infection, a comparative framework allowing at least an indirect link should be provided. {S}uch a framework could be achieved, if a similar approach like the one involved here, was applied to all other anopheline complexes that transmit {P}. falciparum malaria.},
  keywords = {},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{B}mc {E}volutionary {B}iology},
  volume = {8},
  numero = {},
  pages = {{NIL}_1--{NIL}_15},
  ISSN = {1471-2148},
  year = {2008},
  DOI = {10.1186/1471-2148-8-79},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010042510},
}