The gene has unexpected links to
vision defects in humans
Date: July 17, 2018
Source: University of Utah
Summary:
Biologists have discovered that
different versions of a single gene, called NDP (Norrie Disease Protein), have
unexpected links between color patterns in pigeons, and vision defects in
humans. These gene variations were likely bred into pigeons by humans from a
different pigeon species and are now evolutionarily advantageous in wild
populations of feral pigeons living in urban environments.
In a new study, a team led by
University of Utah biologists has discovered that different versions of a
single gene, called NDP (Norrie Disease Protein), have unexpected
links between color patterns in pigeons, and vision defects in humans. These
gene variations were likely bred into pigeons by humans from a different pigeon
species and are now evolutionarily advantageous in wild populations of feral
pigeons living in urban environments.
The U biologists analyzed the
genomes of domestic rock pigeons (Columba livia) to determine the mutations
that govern the four fundamental color patterns on pigeon wing feathers. They
compared the default, ancestral "bar" pattern, named for the
horizontal black stripes near the wing tips, against the slightly darker
"checker" pattern, the darkest "T-check" pattern, and the
lightest "barless" pattern.
They found that a DNA sequence
near the NDP gene was very different between bar birds and both
T-check and checker birds. In addition, some of the T-check and checker pigeons
have more copies of a stretch of DNA near the gene, resulting in even more
pigment in their feathers. In all cases, the gene sequence itself is unaltered.
In contrast, the least pigmented barless birds had a mutation in the gene
sequence itself, which could affect its function.
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