A genome-wide survey of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes and their paralogues in zebrafish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The genomic organisation of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) varies greatly between different vertebrates. In mammals, the classical MHC consists of a large number of linked genes (e.g. greater than 200 in humans) with predominantly immune function. In some birds, it consists of only a small number of linked MHC core genes (e.g. smaller than 20 in chickens) forming a minimal essential MHC and, in fish, the MHC consists of a so far unknown number of genes including non-linked MHC core genes. Here we report a survey of MHC genes and their paralogues in the zebrafish genome.

Results

Using sequence similarity searches against the zebrafish draft genome assembly (Zv4, September 2004), 149 putative MHC gene loci and their paralogues have been identified. Of th

SUBMITTER: Sambrook JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1309616 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature