Characterization and evolution of major histocompatibility complex class II genes in the aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis.
Major histocompatibility complex genes (Mhc-DQB and Mhc-DRB) were sequenced in seven aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariecsis), which is an endemic and endangered species in Madagascar. An aye-aye from a north-eastern population showed genetic relatedness to individuals of a north-western population and had a somewhat different repertoire from another north-eastern individual. These observations suggest that the extent of genetic variation in Mhc genes is not excessively small in the aye-aye in spite of recent rapid destruction of their habitat by human activities. In light of Mhc gene evolution, trans-species and allelic polymorphisms can be estimated to have been retained for more than 50 Ma (million years) based on the time scale of lemur evolution.
Go
Yasuhiro
Y
Department of Biosystems Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193, Japan. go_yasuhiro@soken.ac.jp
Rakotoarisoa
Gilbert
G
Kawamoto
Yoshi
Y
Shima
Taizo
T
Koyama
Naoki
N
Randrianjafy
Albert
A
Mora
Roger
R
Hirai
Hirohisa
H
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D017931:DNA Primers; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005843:Geography; D008270:Madagascar; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D011443:Strepsirhini / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers