Description of a new kind of MHC DNA sequence in Saguinus oedipus (cotton-top tamarin).
The MHC class I genes of the New World primate the cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) are an exception to the high polymorphism and variability usually displayed by this multigene family. In the present work, the cloning and sequencing of a new pseudogene, tentatively named Saoe-Mhc-N4, in this primate species are reported. This new sequence has two characteristic deletions at exon 2, making it very unlikely that any putative protein from this sequence was an antigen-presenting molecule. Comparison of intron 1, intron 2, partial exon 1, exon 2 and partial exon 3 showed little similarity with those of classical class I genes and pseudogenes in S. oedipus and in other primates. Phylogenetic analysis grouped this Saoe-Mhc-N4 sequence with other pseudogenes in S. oedipus. Thus, it seems that Saoe-Mhc-N4 is an inactivated gene or a pseudogene which has been originated by the common process of duplication and subsequent inactivation of MHC class I loci in this primate species.
Alvarez
M
M
Department of Immunology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Martínez-Laso
J
J
García-Torre
C
C
Varela
P
P
Pérez-Blas
M
M
Moreno
M A
MA
Gómez-Casado
E
E
Arnaiz-Villena
A
A
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005805:Genes, MHC Class I; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011544:Pseudogenes; D012452:Saguinus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*
D004247:DNA