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Diversity of Mhc class I and IIB genes in house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

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Abstract

In order to understand the expression and evolution of host resistance to pathogens, we need to examine the links between genetic variability at the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc), phenotypic expression of the immune response and parasite resistance in natural populations. To do so, we characterized the Mhc class I and IIB genes of house sparrows with the goal of designing a PCR-based genotyping method for the Mhc genes using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The incredible success of house sparrows in colonizing habitats worldwide allows us to assess the importance of the variability of Mhc genes in the face of various pathogenic pressures. Isolation and sequencing of Mhc class I and IIB alleles revealed that house sparrows have fewer loci and fewer alleles than great reed warblers. In addition, the Mhc class I genes divided in two distinct lineages with different levels of polymorphism, possibly indicating different functional roles for each gene family. This organization is reminiscent of the chicken B complex and Rfp-Y system. The house sparrow Mhc hence appears to be intermediate between the great reed warbler and the chicken Mhc, both in terms of numbers of alleles and existence of within-class lineages. We specifically amplified one Mhc class I gene family and ran the PCR products on DGGE gels. The individuals screened displayed between one and ten DGGE bands, indicating that this method can be used in future studies to explore the ecological impacts of Mhc diversity.

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Acknowledgements

We thank D. Richardson, T. von Schantz and F. Depaulis for discussion and advice, J. Ewen for useful comments and R. Barbault (director of the Ecole Doctorale Diversité du Vivant) for financial help. This research was supported by grants from the CNRS to G.S. and R.Z. (ACI Jeunes Chercheurs to G.S. and the GDR 2155 ‘Ecologie Comportementale’ to G.S., O.C. and B.F.) and from the European Commission to R.Z. (KA5 RLRT-CT99-1591).

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  1. Håkan Wittzell

    Present address: Botanical Museum, Lund University, Östra Vallgatan 18, 223 61 , Lund, Sweden

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Parasitologie Evolutive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Unité Mixte de Recherche 7103, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Bâtiment A, 7e étage, 7 quai St Bernard, Case 237, 75252, Paris , Cedex 05, France

    Camille Bonneaud & Gabriele Sorci

  2. Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et Biologie du Développement, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique ERS 1984, 19 rue Guy Moquet, 94801, Villejuif, France

    Véronique Morin, Rima Zoorob & Håkan Wittzell

  3. Molecular Population Biology Laboratory, Department of Animal Ecology, University of Lund, 22363, Lund, Sweden

    Helena Westerdahl

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  1. Camille Bonneaud
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  2. Gabriele Sorci
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Correspondence to Camille Bonneaud.

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Bonneaud, C., Sorci, G., Morin, V. et al. Diversity of Mhc class I and IIB genes in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Immunogenetics 55, 855–865 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00251-004-0648-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00251-004-0648-3

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