Relaxation of selective constraint on dog mitochondrial DNA following domestication

摘要: The domestication of dogs caused a dramatic change in their way life compared with that ancestor, the gray wolf. We hypothesize this new style changed selective forces acted upon species, which turn had an effect on dog's genome. sequenced complete mitochondrial DNA genome 14 dogs, six wolves, and three coyotes. Here we show have accumulated nonsynonymous changes genes at faster rate than leading to elevated levels variation proteins. This suggests major consequence was general relaxation constraint If also affected other parts dog genome, it could facilitated generation novel functional genetic diversity. diversity thus contributed raw material artificial selection has shaped modern breeds may therefore be important source extreme phenotypic present modern-day dogs.