Project description:The Hill-Robertson effect describes how, in a finite panmictic diploid population, selection at one diallelic locus reduces the fixation probability of a selectively favoured allele at a second, linked diallelic locus. Here we investigate the influence of population structure on the Hill-Robertson effect in a population of size N. We model population structure as a network by assuming that individuals occupy nodes on a graph connected by edges that link members who can reproduce with each other. Three regular networks (fully connected, ring and torus), two forms of scale-free network and a star are examined. We find that (i) the effect of population structure on the probability of fixation of the favourable allele is invariant for regular structures, but on some scale-free networks and a star, this probability is greatly reduced; (ii) compared to a panmictic population, the mean time to fixation of the favoured allele is much greater on a ring, torus and linear scale-free network, but much less on power-2 scale-free and star networks; (iii) the likelihood with which each of the four possible haplotypes eventually fix is similar across regular networks, but scale-free populations and the star are consistently less likely and much faster to fix the optimal haplotype; (iv) increasing recombination increases the likelihood of fixing the favoured haplotype across all structures, whereas the time to fixation of that haplotype usually increased, and (v) star-like structures were overwhelmingly likely to fix the least fit haplotype and did so significantly more rapidly than other populations. Last, we find that small (N < 64) panmictic populations do not exhibit the scaling property expected from Hill & Robertson (1966 Genet. Res. 8, 269-294. (doi:10.1017/S0016672300010156)).
Project description:Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) is a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by a distinct facial phenotype (high forehead, frontal bossing, large eyebrows, medially flaring and sparse in the middle part, hypertelorism, deep set but large eyes, large and uplifted ear lobes, with a central depression, saddle nose with prominent rounded nasal tip, prominent columella, open mouth, with M-shaped upper lip, frequent smiling, and a prominent but narrow and triangular pointed chin), moderate-to-severe intellectual deficiency, epilepsy and variable congenital malformations including Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), genitourinary anomalies (in particular hypospadias in males), congenital heart defects, agenesis of the corpus callosum and eye anomalies. The prevalence of MWS is currently unknown, but 171 patients have been reported so far. It seems probable that MWS is under-diagnosed, particularly in patients without HSCR. MWS is caused by heterozygous mutations or deletions in the Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 gene, ZEB2, previously called ZFHX1B (SIP1). To date, over 100 deletions/mutations have been reported in patients with a typical phenotype; they are frequently whole gene deletions or truncating mutations, suggesting that haploinsufficiency is the main pathological mechanism. Studies of genotype-phenotype analysis show that facial gestalt and delayed psychomotor development are constant clinical features, while the frequent and severe congenital malformations are variable. In a small number of patients, unusual mutations can lead to an atypical phenotype. The facial phenotype is particularly important for the initial clinical diagnosis and provides the hallmark warranting ZEB2 mutational analysis, even in the absence of HSCR. The majority of MWS cases reported so far were sporadic, therefore the recurrence risk is low. Nevertheless, rare cases of sibling recurrence have been observed. Congenital malformations and seizures require precocious clinical investigation with intervention of several specialists (including neonatologists and pediatricians). Psychomotor development is delayed in all patients, therefore rehabilitation (physical therapy, psychomotor and speech therapy) should be started as soon as possible.