Evolution of MHC class I genes in Eurasian badgers, genus Meles (Carnivora, Mustelidae).

ABSTRACT: Because of their role in immune defense against pathogens, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are useful in evolutionary studies on how wild vertebrates adapt to their environments. We investigated the molecular evolution of MHC class I (MHCI) genes in four closely related species of Eurasian badgers, genus Meles. All four species of badgers showed similarly high variation in MHCI sequences compared to other Carnivora. We identified 7-21 putatively functional MHCI sequences in each of the badger species, and 2-7 sequences per individual, indicating the existence of 1-4 loci. MHCI exon 2 and 3 sequences encoding domains α1 and α2 exhibited different clade topologies in phylogenetic networks. Non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions at codons for antigen-binding sites exceeded synon

SUBMITTER: Abduriyim S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6327056 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature