Parasites and individual major histocompatibility complex diversity--an optimal choice?
Overdominant selection or heterozygote advantage can partly explain the extraordinary polymorphism found at classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) loci. However, several studies employing only single infectious agents often failed to detect it. Here, we review recent studies suggesting that due to the dominant nature of MHC-mediated resistance, a heterozygote advantage is most likely to be detected in multiple pathogen challenges.
Wegner
K Mathias
KM
Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute of Limnology, August-Thienemann-Street 2, 24306 Plön, Germany. wegner@mpil-ploen.mpg.de
Kalbe
Martin
M
Schaschl
Helmut
H
Reusch
Thorsten B H
TB
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006376:Helminths / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics*; D012098:Reproduction; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013045:Species Specificity; D014780:Viruses / Q000472:pathogenicity*