A missense mutation in RRM1 contributes to animal tameness

The increased tameness to reduce avoidance of human in wild animals has been long proposed as the key step of animal domestication. The tameness is a complex behavior trait and largely determined by genetic factors. However, the underlying genetic mutations remain vague and how they influence the animal behaviors is yet to be explored. Behavior tests of a wild-domestic hybrid goat population indicate the locus under strongest artificial selection during domestication may exert a huge effect on the flight distance. Within this locus, only one missense mutation RRM1(I241V) which was present in the early domestic goat similar to 6500 years ago. Genome editing of RRM1(I241V) in mice showed increased tameness and sociability and reduced anxiety. These behavioral changes induced by RRM1(I241V) were modulated by the alternation of activity of glutamatergic synapse and some other synapse-related pathways. This study established a link between RRM1(I241V) and tameness, demonstrating that the complex behavioral change can be achieved by mutations under strong selection during animal domestication.

Automated summary

The study suggests that reducing avoidance of humans in wild animals is a key step in domestication, which is primarily determined by genetic factors. However, the specific genetic mutations and their influence on animal behavior are still unclear. Behavioral tests on a wild-domestic hybrid goat population indicate that the region under strongest artificial selection during domestication may have a significant effect on flight distance. Within this region, only one missense mutation RRM1(I241V) was found in early domesticated goats approximately 6500 years ago. Genome editing of RRM1(I241V) in mice showed increased tameness, sociability, and reduced anxiety. These behavioral changes induced by RRM1(I241V) were modulated by alterations in glutamatergic synapse activity and other synapse-related pathways. This study establishes a link between RRM1(I241V) and tameness, demonstrating that complex behavioral changes can be achieved through mutations under strong selection during animal domestication.