Award details

IAH Fellowship:Using comparative genetics to investigate ruminant NK cell receptor evolution and function

Reference	BBS/E/I/00001410
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor John Hammond
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	843,168
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	05/05/2009
End date	05/04/2014
Duration	59 months

Abstract

Cattle (Bos taurus) have expanded and diversified a novel receptor gene family, KIR3DX, to create diversity in their natural killer cell (NK) cell response to intracellular pathogen challenge. This parallels the gene expansion of distinct NK receptor families, Ly49 and KIR3DL, in rodents and primates respectively and is a striking example of convergent evolution. Natural selection from pathogens drove the extraordinary diversity of primate and rodent NK cell receptors within these distinct mammalian orders. Therefore it is highly likely that the diversity seen in cattle has also been driven by pathogen selection and is not limited to this one ruminant species. Using a range of molecular techniques the KIR and related gene content of a range of wild and domesticated ruminant species will be characterised to determine how natural selection has driven the evolution of these genes throughout ruminant radiation. These findings will then direct in vitro functional experiments analysing how this natural variation within and between species influences the immune response. Species have been selected based on both their phylogeny and economic importance. Wild relatives of domesticated species provide a powerful comparative tool to determine if differential diversity has been caused by inbreeding and domestication. This study of NK cell receptor diversity will ultimately reveal how this crucial immune response in this key group of animals evolved, highlight the critical functional elements in farmed species and demonstrate how inbreeding has influenced diversity and therefore disease resistance.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Research Committee A (Animal disease, health and welfare)
Research Topics	Animal Health, Immunology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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