Strong selection signatures for Aleutian disease tolerance acting on novel candidate genes linked to immune and cellular responses in American mink ( Neogale vison )

Aleutian disease (AD) is a multi-systemic infectious disease in American mink ( Neogale vison ) caused by Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV). This study aimed to identify candidate regions and genes underlying selection for response against AMDV using whole-genome sequence (WGS) data. Three case–control selection signatures studies were conducted between animals (N = 85) producing high versus low antibody levels against AMDV, grouped by counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) test and two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Within each study, selection signals were detected using fixation index (FST) and nucleotide diversity (θπ ratios), and validated by cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) test. Within- and between-studies overlapping results were then evaluated. Within-studies overlapping results indicated novel candidate genes related to immune and cellular responses (e.g., TAP2 , RAB32 ), respiratory system function (e.g., SPEF2 , R3HCC1L ), and reproduction system function (e.g., HSF2 , CFAP206 ) in other species. Between-studies overlapping results identified three large segments under strong selection pressure, including two on chromosome 1 (chr1:88,770–98,281 kb and chr1:114,133–120,473) and one on chromosome 6 (chr6:37,953–44,279 kb). Within regions with strong signals, we found novel candidate genes involved in immune and cellular responses (e.g., homologous MHC class II genes, ITPR3 , VPS52 ) in other species. Our study brings new insights into candidate regions and genes controlling AD response.