Abstract
BackgroundNonhuman primates are commonly used in biomedical research as animal models of human disease and behavior. Compared to common rodent models, nonhuman primates are genetically, physiologically, behaviorally and neurologically more similar to humans owing to more recent shared ancestry and therefore provide the advantage of greater translational validity in preclinical studies. The cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is one of the most commonly used nonhuman primates in academic and industry settings, yet population genetic research has revealed significant substructure throughout the species distribution that may confound studies. Cynomolgus monkeys introduced to Mauritius specifically have previously been thought to maintain the least genetic heterogeneity of all cynomolgus monkeys, although recent work, including work from our lab, suggests macaques from Mauritius too may harbor cryptic substructure.ResultsTo evaluate putative substructure in Mauritian cynomolgus macaques, we designed a panel of 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms based on preliminary findings from previous work to screen 246 of cynomolgus monkeys from two primary suppliers. Results from this study support substructure in Mauritian macaques and suggest a minimum of two populations and maybe three on Mauritius, with moderate admixture.ConclusionThese findings inform the natural history of these monkeys suggesting either a previously unrecognized physical or ecological barrier to gene flow on Mauritius and/or the breakdown of historic substructure resulting from the history of macaque introduction to the island. These findings are relevant to ongoing research using these models in part because of increased appreciation of segregating common variation with functional effects and may be used to better inform animal selection in preclinical research.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-748) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Nonhuman primates are commonly used in biomedical research as animal models of human disease and behavior
Nonhuman primates represent an alternative to these animal models and provide distinct advantages owing to their phylogenetic proximity to humans that lends itself to greater genetic, physiological, neurological, and behavioral similarities [1,2]
Animal models are an important component of preclinical biomedical research and critical to the translational success of new drugs and therapies
Summary
Nonhuman primates are commonly used in biomedical research as animal models of human disease and behavior. Compared to common rodent models, nonhuman primates are genetically, physiologically, behaviorally and neurologically more similar to humans owing to more recent shared ancestry and provide the advantage of greater translational validity in preclinical studies. Nonhuman primates represent an alternative to these animal models and provide distinct advantages owing to their phylogenetic proximity to humans that lends itself to greater genetic, physiological, neurological, and behavioral similarities [1,2]. This has been most strongly recognized in pharmacokinetic studies [3,4]. Macaque species are the most common nonhuman primate model, including the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and the long-tailed macaque (M. fascicularis), commonly known as the crab-eating or cynomolgus macaque
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
