title: Extensive diversification of MHC in Chinese giant salamanders Andrias davidianus (Anda-MHC) reveals novel splice variants.
abstract: A series of MHC alleles (including 26 class IA, 27 class IIA, and 17 class IIB) were identified from Chinese giant salamander Andrias davidianus (Anda-MHC). These genes are similar to classical MHC molecules in terms of characteristic domains, functional residues, deduced tertiary structures and genetic diversity. The majority of variation between alleles is found in the putative peptide-binding region (PBR), which is driven by positive Darwinian selection. The coexistence of two isoforms in MHC IA, IIA, and IIB alleles are shown: one full-length transcript and one novel splice variant. Despite lake of the external domains, these variants exhibit similar subcellular localization with the full-length transcripts. Moreover, the expression of MHC isoforms are up-regulated upon in vivo and in vitro stimulation with Andrias davidianus ranavirus (ADRV), suggesting their potential roles in the immune response. The results provide insights into understanding MHC variation and function in this ancient and endangered urodele amphibian.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhong-yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jiang-di
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xiang-yong
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Jian-Fang
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: Qi-Ya
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites / Q000276:immunology; D002681:China; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014562:Caudata / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D020033:Protein Isoforms
keywords: Alternative splice variant; Andrias davidianus ranavirus (ADRV); Genetic diversity; Inducible expression; MHC of Chinese giant salamanders Andrias davidianus (Anda-MHC)