Genetic diversity of MHC class I loci in six non-model frogs is shaped by positive selection and gene duplication.

ABSTRACT: Comparative studies of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes across vertebrate species can reveal the evolutionary processes that shape the structure and function of immune regulatory proteins. In this study, we characterized MHC class I sequences from six frog species representing three anuran families (Hylidae, Centrolenidae and Ranidae). Using cDNA from our focal species, we amplified a total of 79 unique sequences spanning exons 2-4 that encode the extracellular domains of the functional alpha chain protein. We compared intra- and interspecific nucleotide and amino-acid divergence, tested for recombination, and identified codon sites under selection by estimating the rate of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions with multiple codon-based maximum likelihood methods. We deter

SUBMITTER: Kiemnec-Tyburczy KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3424922 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature