title: MHC class I loci of the Bar-Headed goose (Anser indicus).
abstract: MHC class I proteins mediate functions in anti-pathogen defense. MHC diversity has already been investigated by many studies in model avian species, but here we chose the bar-headed goose, a worldwide migrant bird, as a non-model avian species. Sequences from exons encoding the peptide-binding region (PBR) of MHC class I molecules were isolated from liver genomic DNA, to investigate variation in these genes. These are the first MHC class I partial sequences of the bar-headed goose to be reported. A preliminary analysis suggests the presence of at least four MHC class I genes, which share great similarity with those of the goose and duck. A phylogenetic analysis of bar-headed goose, goose and duck MHC class I sequences using the NJ method supports the idea that they all cluster within the anseriforms clade.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, National Research Center For Wildlife-Borne Diseases, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing China.
authors.forename: Qinglong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Xinwei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hongxuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He