MHC class I typing in a songbird with numerous loci and high polymorphism using motif-specific PCR and DGGE
Westerdahl, Helena; Wittzell, Håkan; von Schantz, Torbjörn; Bensch, Staffan (2004). MHC class I typing in a songbird with numerous loci and high polymorphism using motif-specific PCR and DGGE. Heredity, 92, (6), 534 - 542
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Published
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English
Authors:
Westerdahl, Helena
;
Wittzell, Håkan
;
von Schantz, Torbjörn
;
Bensch, Staffan
Department:
MEMEG
Department of Biology
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
Research Group:
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
Abstract:
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has a central role in the specific immune defence of vertebrates. Exon 3 of MHC class I genes encodes the domain that binds and presents peptides from pathogens that trigger immune reactions. Here we develop a fast population screening method for detecting genetic variation in the MHC class I genes of birds. We found evidence of at least 15 exon 3 sequences in the investigated great reed warbler individual. The organisation of the great reed warbler MHC class I genes suggested that a locus-specific screening protocol is impractical due to the high similarity between alleles across loci, including the introns flanking exon 3. Therefore, we used motif-specific PCR to amplify two subsets of alleles ( exon 3 sequences) that were separated with by DGGE. The motif-specific primers amplify a substantial proportion of the transcribed class I alleles (2-12 alleles per individual) from as many as six class I loci. Although not exhaustive, this gives a reliable estimate of the class I variation. The method is highly repeatable and more sensitive in detecting genetic variation than the RFLP method. The motif-specific primers also allow us to avoid screening pseudogenes. In our study population of great reed warblers, we found a high level of genetic variation in MHC class I, and no less than 234 DGGE genotypes were detected among 248 screened individuals.
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