Abstract
Gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of human and non-human primates play a crucial role in adaptive immunity, and most of the relevant genes not only show a high degree of variability (polymorphism) but also copy number variation (CNV) is observed. Due to this diversity, MHC proteins influence the capability of individuals to cope with various pathogens. MHC and/or MHC-linked gene products such as odorant receptor genes are thought to influence mate choice and reproductive success. Therefore, MHC typing of wild and captive primate populations is considered to be useful in conservation biology, which is, however, often hampered by the need of invasive and time-consuming methods. All intact Mhc-DRB genes in primates appear to possess a complex and highly divergent microsatellite, DRB-STR. A panel of 154 pedigreed olive baboons (Papio anubis) was examined for their DRB content by DRB-STR analysis of genomic DNA. Using the same methodology on DNA of feces samples, DRB variability of a silvery gibbon population (Hylobates moloch) (N = 24), an endangered species, could successfully be studied. In both species, length determination of the DRB-STR resulted in the definition of unique genotyping patterns that appeared to be specific for a certain chromosome. Moreover, the different STR lengths were shown to segregate with the allelic variation of the respective gene. The results obtained expand data gained previously on DRB-STR typing in macaques, great apes, and humans and strengthen the conclusion that this protocol is applicable in molecular ecology, conservation biology, and colony management, especially of endangered primate species.
Highlights
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules are cell-surface glycoproteins, which play a central role in immune-related processes as in control or susceptibility to infectious diseases, in transplantation research, and in reproduction immunology by presenting peptides to CD8 and/or CD4 T lymphocytes
The MHC genes/loci encoding these molecules are structured in gene families, the hallmark of which is the allelic and copy number variation (CNV) of most of their genes
DRB typing has often been used as an indication for MHC diversity in various species and for diverse purposes, as e.g., the importance of the MHC for mate choice (Setchell et al 2013; Setchell et al 2011), heterozygous advantage testing against heterogenous pathogen pressures (Oliver et al 2009; Osborne et al 2015), identification of selective pressures acting on MHC haplotypes (Huchard et al 2008), pathogen-driven balancing selection (Nishita et al 2015), selection countering drift to maintain MHC polymorphism (Oliver and Piertney 2012), and understanding genetic variability for the management of captive breeding programs (Cai et al 2015)
Summary
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules are cell-surface glycoproteins, which play a central role in immune-related processes as in control or susceptibility to infectious diseases, in transplantation research, and in reproduction immunology by presenting peptides to CD8 and/or CD4 T lymphocytes. DRB typing has often been used as an indication for MHC diversity in various species and for diverse purposes, as e.g., the importance of the MHC for mate choice (Setchell et al 2013; Setchell et al 2011), heterozygous advantage testing against heterogenous pathogen pressures (Oliver et al 2009; Osborne et al 2015), identification of selective pressures acting on MHC haplotypes (Huchard et al 2008), pathogen-driven balancing selection (Nishita et al 2015), selection countering drift to maintain MHC polymorphism (Oliver and Piertney 2012), and understanding genetic variability for the management of captive breeding programs (Cai et al 2015)
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