Whole Genome Evolutionary Fingerprinting Suggests Novel Primate Gene Functions in Evolutionary Arms Races

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Abstract Previous positive selection analyses on primate host restriction factors have helped to elucidate differences in primate adaptation to viral infection. However, many of these studies have been focused on small gene families and genes known or suspected to play a role as primate host restriction factors. With the genome sequencing of numerous primate species, we are now capable of comparing the evolutionary profiles of primate genes across the whole genome. Using these evolutionary profiles as guides, we characterize evolutionary similarities and differences between known primate restriction factors and sets of other genes with diverse functions to provide insight on new candidate restriction factors and the biological pressures that affect them.