title: Molecular study of Mhc-DRB in wild chacma baboons reveals high variability and evidence for trans-species inheritance.
abstract: The MHC class II genes of many primate species were investigated extensively in recent years. However, while Mhc-DRB genes were studied in Old World monkeys such as rhesus macaques, the Mhc-DRB of baboons was only studied in a limited way. Because of their close anatomical and physiological relationship to humans, baboons are often used as models for reproduction and transplantation research. Baboons are also studied as a model species in behavioural ecology. Thus, identification of MHC genes would provide a foundation for studies of Mhc, biology and behaviour. Here, we describe the use of PCR, cloning, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing to identify Mhc-DRB sequences in wild chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). We amplified the highly variable second exon of baboon Mhc-DRB sequences using generic DRB primers. To validate and optimize the DGGE protocol, four DNA samples were initially studied using cloning and sequencing. Clones were screened using a novel RFLP approach to increase the number of clones identified for each individual. Results from cloning and sequencing were used to optimise DGGE conditions for Mhc-DRB genotyping of the remaining study subjects. Using these techniques, we identified 16 Paur-DRB sequences from 30 chacma baboons. On the basis of phylogenetic tree analyses, representatives of the Mhc-DRB1 and Mhc-DRB5 loci, and 13 different DRB lineages were identified. Evidence for trans-species inheritance of some Mhc-DRB sequences comes from high identity between the new Paur-DRB sequences and sequences from Papio cynocephalus, Macaca mulatta and possibly Galago moholi.
authors.affiliation: Equipe Génétique et Environnement, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution (CNRS-UMR 5554), Université Montpellier II (CC 65), Place Eugène Bataillon, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huchard
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cowlishaw
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Mylene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weill
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Knapp
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005701:Galago / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008251:Macaca / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010215:Papio / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D048549:Papio ursinus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D016415:Sequence Alignment