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- Title
Extensive MHC Class II B Gene Duplication in a Passerine, the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas).
- Authors
BOLLMER, JENNIFER L.; DUNN, PETER O.; WHITTINGHAM, LINDA A.; WIMPEE, CHARLES
- Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is characterized by a birth and death model of evolution involving gene duplication, diversification, loss of function, and deletion. As a result, gene number varies across taxa. Birds have between one and 7 confirmed MHC class II B genes, and the greatest diversity appears to occur in passerines. We used multiple primer sets on both genomic DNA (gDNA) and complementary DNA (cDNA) to characterize the range of class II B genes present in a passerine, the common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). We confirmed 39 exon 2 sequences from gDNA in a single individual, indicating the presence of at least 20 class II B loci. From a second individual, we recovered 16 cDNA sequences belonging to at least 8 transcribed loci. Phylogenetic analysis showed that common yellowthroat sequences fell into subgroups consisting of classical loci, as well as at least 4 different clusters of sequences with reduced sequence variability that may represent pseudogenes or nonclassical loci. Data from 2 additional common yellowthroats demonstrated high interindividual variability. Our results reveal that some passerines possess an extraordinary diversity of MHC gene duplications, including both classical and nonclassical loci.
- Subjects
MAJOR histocompatibility complex; DNA replication; YELLOWTHROAT; GENETIC recombination; EXONS (Genetics)
- Publication
Journal of Heredity, 2010, Vol 101, Issue 4, p448
- ISSN
0022-1503
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1093/jhered/esq018