Antigen-presenting genes and genomic copy number variations in the Tasmanian devil MHC.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is currently under threat of extinction due to an unusual fatal contagious cancer called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD). DFTD is caused by a clonal tumour cell line that is transmitted between unrelated individuals as an allograft without triggering immune rejection due to low levels of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) diversity in Tasmanian devils.

Results

Here we report the characterization of the genomic regions encompassing MHC Class I and Class II genes in the Tasmanian devil. Four genomic regions approximately 960 kb in length were assembled and annotated using BAC contigs and physically mapped to devil Chromosome 4q. 34 genes and pseudogenes were identified, including five Class I and four Class II loci.

SUBMITTER: Cheng Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3414760 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature