MHC structuring and divergent allele advantage in a urodele amphibian: a hierarchical multi-scale approach.

ABSTRACT: Proteins encoded by extraordinarily polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are involved in the adaptive immune response. Balancing selection is believed to maintain MHC polymorphism in the long term, although neutral processes also play a role in shaping MHC diversity. However, the relative contribution of these processes is poorly understood. Here we characterized MHC class II variation of a low-dispersal, pond-breeding newt (Triturus carnifex) over a restricted, geographically structured area. We aimed to (1) evaluate the contribution of selection and neutral processes to shaping MHC diversity at two geographic scales, and (2) test for signatures of divergent allele advantage (DAA), which is a potentially important mechanism of balancing selection. The dominant role of

SUBMITTER: Talarico L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6972932 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature