title: High levels of diversity characterize mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) Mhc-DRB sequences.
abstract: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is highly polymorphic in most primate species studied thus far. The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) has been studied extensively and the Mhc-DRB region demonstrates variability similar to humans. The extent of MHC diversity is relatively unknown for other Old World monkeys (OWM), especially among genera other than Macaca. A molecular survey of the Mhc-DRB region in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) revealed extensive variability, suggesting that other OWMs may also possess high levels of Mhc-DRB polymorphism. In the present study, 33 Mhc-DRB loci were identified from only 13 animals. Eleven were wild-born and presumed to be unrelated and two were captive-born twins. Two to seven different sequences were identified for each individual, suggesting that some mandrills may have as many as four Mhc-DRB loci on a single haplotype. From these sequences, representatives of at least six Mhc-DRB loci or lineages were identified. As observed in other primates, some new lineages may have arisen through the process of gene conversion. These findings indicate that mandrills have Mhc-DRB diversity not unlike rhesus macaques and humans.
authors.affiliation: PrIME, Department of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ, UK. K.M.Abbott.01@cantab.net
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: E Jean
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wickings
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006239:Haplotypes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D048528:Mandrillus / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II