Directional and balancing selection in human beta-defensins |
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Authors: | Edward J Hollox John AL Armour |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK;(2) Institute of Genetics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK |
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Abstract: | Background In primates, infection is an important force driving gene evolution, and this is reflected in the importance of infectious disease in human morbidity today. The beta-defensins are key components of the innate immune system, with antimicrobial and cell signalling roles, but also reproductive functions. Here we examine evolution of beta-defensins in catarrhine primates and variation within different human populations. |
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