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.
Department of Biosystems Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Hayama, Kanagawa, 240-0193, Japan. go_yasuhiro@soken.ac.jp
Yasuhiro
Y
Go
Gilbert
G
Rakotoarisoa
Yoshi
Y
Kawamoto
Taizo
T
Shima
Naoki
N
Koyama
Albert
A
Randrianjafy
Roger
R
Mora
Hirohisa
H
Hirai
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