Evidence for balancing selection at the DAB locus in the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum.
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.
Richman
A D
AD
Plant Sciences Department, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA. arichman@montana.edu
Herrera
G
G
Reynoso
V H
VH
Méndez
G
G
Zambrano
L
L
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
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II