Neofunctionalization driven by positive selection led to the retention of the loqs2 gene encoding an Aedes specific dsRNA binding protein.
Carlos F Estevez-CastroMurillo F RodriguesAntinéa BabaritFlávia Viana FerreiraElisa G de AndradeEric MaroisRodrigo CogniEric Roberto Guimarães Rocha AguiarJoão Trindade MarquesRoenick Proveti OlmoPublished in: BMC biology (2024)
Our results uncover the peculiar origin and neofunctionalization of loqs2 driven by positive selection. This study shows an example of unique adaptations in Aedes mosquitoes that could ultimately help explain their effectiveness as virus vectors.