title: Evidence for balancing selection at the DAB locus in the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum.
abstract: The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) has been characterized as immunodeficient, and the absence of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II polymorphism has been cited as a possible explanation. Here we present evidence for considerable allelic polymorphism at the MHC class II DAB locus for a sample of wild-caught axolotls. Evidence that these sequences are the product of balancing selection for disease resistance is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Plant Sciences Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA. arichman@montana.edu
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Richman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Reynoso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zambrano
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000558:Ambystoma mexicanum / Q000235:genetics*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II