By selecting for heterozygotes (overdominance) the following table is obtained. Selection against the recessive (s2) and the dominant (s1) is relative in
comparison to the heterozygote types.
Table formulating selection for heterozygotes: --------- Genotype EE Ee ee Total Frequency p2 2pq q2 = 1,00 Fitness 1-s1 1 1-s2 Proportion p2(1-s1) 2pq q2(1-s2) = 1-p2s1 - q2s2 after selection ---------
After selection the gene frequency is calculated by the gene counting method as shown in section 3.2.
q' = (2q2*(1-s2) + 2pq)/(2*(1-p2s1 - q2s2))
The frequency q' represents the genes that survive and therefore corresponds to
the gene frequency in the next generation before selection. In this case,
concerning overdominance, selection will not end by fixation of one of the alleles,
instead an equilibrium with constant gene frequencies will occur.
The equilibrium frequency is called q (hat), and equilibrium is reached when no change
occurs from one generation to the next, i.e. delta q = 0
delta q = q' - q = pq(ps1-qs2)/(1-p2s1 - q2s2) = 0 ps1-qs2 = 0 which solved with respect to q gives the equilibrium frequency q(hat) = s1 / (s1 + s2) or p(hat) = s2 / (s1 + s2)
Delta q equals the change in the gene frequency from one generation to the next.
When the gene frequency is larger than the equilibrium
gene frequency q (hat) delta q becomes negative, and when gene frequency
is lower delta q is positive.
Therefore selection for heterozygotes is a neverending selection. Thus the
population should carry a large genetic load, it is costly to maintain
that type of polymorphism. Overdominance is best utilized in animal breeding by
producing crossbreeds, in which all individuals can be heterozygotes.
Figure 3.4. Fitness conditions by overdominance. |
Fitness by overdominance is visualized in Figure 3.4, here the two homozygote types have a fitness level which is lower than the heterozygotes, whose fitness level is 1.
Example: The classical
example from human genetics of overdominance is the occurrence of the Mendelian inherited recessive sickle
cell anaemia with
a frequency of around 5% corresponding to q = 0.22 in malaria areas.
Individuals which are heterozygotic for the sickle cell anaemia are resistant
to malaria, this gives them a greater chance of survival than normal individuals.
Individuals with anaemia have low chances of survival, s2=1.
What is the fitness level for the normal homozygotes in comparison to the heterozygotes?
Equilibrium occurs at p(hat) = s2 / (s1 + s2) = 1 - q =1 - 0.22 which gives s1 = (s2 /(1 - q)) - s2 = 0.285
Fitness in normal individuals in a malaria area is 1 - 0.285 = 71,5 % in comparison to the heterozygotes. The 'genetic load' of the population is p2s1 + q2s2 = 0.22, which means that 22% of a generation succumb to maintain the equilibrium, either because of the anaemia or the malaria.
Applet for calculation of gene frequencies for different fitness combinations, click here