Adaptive Evolution of Relish, a Drosophila NF-B/IB Protein

Corresponding author: David J. Begun, Section of Integrative Biology, Patterson Labs C0930, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712., djbegun{at}mail.utexas.edu (E-mail)

Communicating editor: W. STEPHAN

NF-B and IB proteins have central roles in regulation of inflammation and innate immunity in mammals. Homologues of these proteins also play an important role in regulation of the Drosophila immune response. Here we present a molecular population genetic analysis of Relish, a Drosophila NF-B/IB protein, in Drosophila simulans and D. melanogaster. We find strong evidence for adaptive protein evolution in D. simulans, but not in D. melanogaster. The adaptive evolution appears to be restricted to the IB domain. A possible explanation for these results is that Relish is a site of evolutionary conflict between flies and their microbial pathogens.

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