MHC haplotype frequencies in a UK breeding colony of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques mirror those found in a distinct population from the same geographic origin.
BACKGROUND
Mauritian cynomolgus macaques have greatly restricted genetic diversity in the MHC region compared to other non-human primates; however, the frequency of common MHC haplotypes among captive-bred populations has not been reported.


METHODS
Microsatellite PCR was used to determine MHC haplotype frequencies among captive macaques at a UK breeding facility. Allele-specific PCR and reference strand conformational analysis were used to determine the allele expression profile of a subset of animals.


RESULTS
Haplotypes H3 (21%) and H1 (19%) were most common in the captive population of Mauritian cynomolgus macaques. Predicted alleles were detected by allele-specific PCR-SSP in 98% of animals. Allele expression profiles were similar in animals with identical haplotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
Mauritian cynomolgus macaques in the UK breeding facility have restricted MHC diversity comparable to a previously described population. Microsatellite-derived haplotypes are highly predictive of allele expression. A selective breeding program has been established to produce MHC-identical animals for biomedical research.
Mee
Edward T
ET
Division of Retrovirology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, UK. emee@nibsc.ac.uk
Badhan
Anjna
A
Karl
Julie A
JA
Wiseman
Roger W
RW
Cutler
Keith
K
Knapp
Leslie A
LA
Almond
Neil
N
O'Connor
David H
DH
Rose
Nicola J
NJ
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes; D008252:Macaca fascicularis / Q000235:genetics*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics*; D008436:Mauritius; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA