期刊
IMMUNOGENETICS
卷 65, 期 3, 页码 211-225出版社
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s00251-012-0669-2
关键词
Calidris canutus; Disease defense; Major histocompatibility complex (MHC); Migratory birds; Red knot; Shorebird; MHC class I
资金
- Natural Science and Engineering Council of Canada [NSERC PDF-373488-2009]
- Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research [Rubicon 825.09.0190]
- NSERC [RGPIN 200-07]
- Royal Ontario Museum Life in Crisis: Schad Gallery of Biodiversity Research Fund
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) includes highly polymorphic gene families encoding proteins crucial to the vertebrate acquired immune system. Classical MHC class I (MHCI) genes code for molecules expressed on the surfaces of most nucleated cells and are associated with defense against intracellular pathogens, such as viruses. These genes have been studied in a few wild bird species, but have not been studied in long-distance migrating shorebirds. Red Knots Calidris canutus are medium-sized, monogamous sandpipers with migratory routes that span the globe. Understanding how such long-distancemigrants protect themselves from disease has gained new relevance since the emergence of avian-borne diseases, including intracellular pathogens recognized by MHCI molecules, such as avian influenza. In this study, we characterized MHCI genes in knots and found 36 alleles in eight individuals and evidence for six putatively functional and expressed MHCI genes in a single bird. We also found evidence for recombination and for positive selection at putative peptide binding sites in exons 2 and 3. These results suggest surprisingly high MHC diversity in knots, given their demographic history. This may be a result of selection from diverse pathogens encountered by shorebirds throughout their annual migrations.
作者
我是这篇论文的作者
点击您的名字以认领此论文并将其添加到您的个人资料中。
推荐
暂无数据